"96 Not Out Is Better Than 96 Out Or 100 Out" - Coach Senthilnathan Advices Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar had a heart-breaking moment when he saw Mohammed Siraj getting out for a duck to Ben Stokes, and being left unbeaten on 96 as India folded for 365 runs in their first innings of the fourth Test match against England at Ahmedabad.

It was his third half-century in Tests, after 62 on his debut and 85* in his second Test in Chennai, his home ground. Though it was a missed chance for a maiden Test century, Washington Sundar had no expression on his face as he walked back to the pavilion.

Before Siraj, Ishant Sharma had been bowled by Stokes for a first-ball suck and Axar Patel was run out for 43 at the bowler’s end off the last ball of an over, breaking their 106-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

But his coach and former Tamil Nadu batsman M Senthilnathan had a few words of wisdom for the young lad.

Washington Sundar Could Have Got Out Going For His Century, So A 96 Not Out For Better Than A 96 Out: M Senthilnathan  

Senthilnathan was impressed by a 13-year-old Sundar at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, as he played pacers with ease. Senthilnathan molded Sundar into the cricketer that he is today and encouraged the 21-year-old left-handed batsman to continue bowling off-spin.

He was not amazed at Sundar’s lack of sentiments on missing out on a Test century.

“I had a brief chat after the Test match with him and told him, ‘96 not out is much better than 96 out or even 100 out’. He could have got out going for his century. He replied ‘No problem, sir. They (Ishant and Siraj) tried their best’,” Senthilnathan told Sportskeeda in an exclusive chat.

Senthilnathan further said that it was not Sundar’s destiny to get a Test century and mentioned that if you come back to the pavilion not out, your confidence is higher than when you are out. When you are not out, it is a battle won as the opposition could not get you out.

No Emotions, No Answering Back, Washington Sundar Is Like That From The Start

“He is the same whether he is beaten, hits a four or a six, or gets a hundred. No emotions, no answering back. It will be difficult for the opponents to have a go at him. These are very good qualities to play at a higher level. Washington shows his aggression from inside by staying long at the crease,” Senthilnathan added.

Senthilnathan is excited to see how Washington Sundar performs in the England T20I series which begins from Friday in Ahmedabad.

Also Read: Washington Sundar Is A Player Who Can Bat In Top 6 For India In The Future – Michael Vaughan