Washington grabs the opportunity to bat up the order with both hands

Washington Sundar is a diligent learner. Not the one to express his emotions, he is always among the first to hit the nets. Once done with the session, he makes it a point to stand in one corner for a few moments and analyse his game. That has been the norm ever since landing in England.

He knew he would have to wait for his chance, and eventually when it came in the second Test at Edgbaston, Washington did not disappoint. Coming in at No. 8, he contributed with crucial 54 runs — 42 in the first innings and 12 in the second — in addition to the vital wicket of England skipper Ben Stokes as India registered a historic win. There were questions over him being selected over Kuldeep Yadav, but the team management wanted to play a spinner, who could add depth to batting. That role fitted Washington perfectly.

Though he claimed four wickets in the second innings at Lord’s, questions resurfaced as he departed for a duck on the final morning with India chasing a target of 193. But Washington came to Old Trafford with a belief, and eventually went on to score his maiden Test century and help India save the Test, with an unbroken 203-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket.

Having been in and out of the squad, since his debut in 2021, his batting position has been nothing less than a musical chair. Washington has batted 11 times at No. 8, followed by 6 at No. 7, thrice at No. 9, and once at No. 6.

But he has been unperturbed. On debut in Brisbane, the Tamil Nadu left-hander proved his mettle with a gritty 62 off 144 balls, laying the foundation for the team’s famous win. And in his fourth Test, he scored a vital 96 not out against England in Ahmedabad.

But an opportunity to bat up the order came only at Old Trafford. An injury to Rishabh Pant meant a No.5 slot opened up for the 25-year-old, and he made the most of the opportunity. With Pant ruled out for the final Test, former India opener and Tamil Nadu stalwart W.V. Raman suggested on X that Washington should bat up the order.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir also admitted that Washington will only improve. “Washington was in really good form. It’s just that sometimes when you’re playing seven or eight batters, it’s difficult to accommodate someone. And we always knew that with Rishabh not being there at No.5, it was our opportunity to put Washi at five, and try to give him that opportunity,” Gambhir said.

In times like these where batting has become more aggressive, Washington remains a believer of biding time at the crease. That approach worked on Sunday as he handled Stokes’ short-ball ploy with precision, before going for a few big hits. He was never in a hurry to reach the milestone.

“We always knew the kind of form he was in, with the way he was batting at the nets and even in the last couple of Tests. So, there’s not an inch of surprise,” Gambhir said, adding: “What he’s done with the ball and the bat, the entire country should be proud of.”

Someone who loves assessing the situation and seizing those moments, Washington would be proud of himself too.