Washington Sundar Loved Playing With Boys Older Than His Age: Sister Shailaja

Washington Sundar’s sister Shailaja who has represented her state side Tamil Nadu wasn’t surprised by the way Sundar handled nerves on his debut test at Gabba. India registered a historic 3 wicket win in Gabba test to defy all odds and have taken the series 2-1. In spite of all the injuries going around the team, and with most of the match winners unavailable, the inexperienced Indian team have made history by winning the series.

Washington Sundar’s Match Winning Performance

Washington Sundar played a key role in India retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy with a crucial fifty in the first innings of the Gabba Test. He stitched a 123 run partnership with the Mumbai lad Shardul Thakur when India were crawling at 186/6. They showed great character against one of the best bowling lineups in the world and Sundar ended up getting 62 on his debut innings. Sundar who stayed back as a net bowler for the tests made full use of the opportunity when he was roped into the playing XI for the injured all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Sundar took 4 wickets overall in the match and also contributed in the second innings when India was pushing for a win. He scored 22 in a crucial partnership along with Rishabh Pant and showed a lot of grit to take on the World’s no.1 bowler without any fear. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder never would have imagined that he would make his test debut soon and now his heroics in the Gabba Test has earned him a place in the Indian test squad for the England Series.

Shailaja Explains Washington Sundar’s Growth Around Cricket

Shailaja who bowls leg-spin and can bat a bit has explained how Sundar’s childhood helped him in preparing for the bigger stages. Coming from a cricketing family with his father and his elder sister Shailaja both being cricketers, he always had a great exposure to the game which helped him prepare well and play at ease. He never seems to be stressed or under pressure and has had a cool head always at a young age of 21.

“The way Washi played was formidable. It didn’t look like a debutant was playing his first game. I thoroughly enjoyed his partnership with Shardul Thakur. That really turned the game in India’s favour and they went on to win the game. So happy,” Shailaja told India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal.

“Well, I think Washington’s life has always been around cricket. Right from his childhood, he has always watched cricket on the television. He loved playing cricket alongside boys older than his age. So I think, over the years, he has learned a lot. He has been able to adapt to tougher conditions and a lot more difficult situations. Shailaja added

It turned out to be a great moment for all the Indian fans while Washington Sundar’s sister Shailaja was chuffed for her brother making Indian test debut.