Washington Sundar's Father Reacts After His Son Misses Out Narrowly On A Maiden Test Hundred

As much as Washington Sundar was not disappointed in missing his maiden Test hundred in the fourth Test against England, his father was. Even though India beat England comprehensively on day three of the final Test in Ahmedabad, fans and experts expressed their sadness as Washington Sundar fell four runs short of a maiden Test century. The 21-year old’s father blamed India’s tailenders for the same.

Washington Sundar shared two crucial partnerships in India’s first innings to secure a lead of 160. The left-handed batsman added 113 with Rishabh Pant, followed by 97 with Axar Patel. He watched the latter run-out when India’s score reached 365 and stayed on 96 that time. However, the next two batsmen in Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj perished in the same over to Ben Stokes, ending the home side’s innings.

Washington Sundar’s father stated that the tailenders had to hang around only for a short while and questioned what would they have done in a case when India still needed a few runs to win. He claimed that they must set an example for the youngsters as it was only a matter of courage and not skill since England’s bowlers were tired by then too.

“What I am really disappointed about are the tailenders. They couldn’t stay on for even a brief while. Suppose India were playing, needing 10 runs to win, wouldn’t this have been a huge mistake. There are millions of youngsters watching; they shouldn’t learn what the tail-enders did. It is not about technique or skills. It was a matter of courage. England were tired; Stokes was bowling at 123-126. They were not bowling at lethal pace,” Sundar’s father told IANS.

Washington Sundar shot to fame because of his bowling in the powerplay: Ravichandran Ashwin

Sundar’s teammate Ravichandran Ashwin felt surprised that people bracket him as a bowler, considering he earned fame due to his bowling in the powerplay overs in IPL. But Ashwin reminded that he is a batsman who could bowl.

“It is quite surprising (to see people bracketing him as a bowler). Washy (Washington Sundar) bowled in some of the IPL matches this season. He shot to fame because of his bowling in the powerplay. Quite surprising that people don’t recognise that he is a batsman who can bowl,” he added.

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