Ajinkya Rahane praised India all-rounder Washington Sundar for scoring his maiden Test century on the final day of the drawn fourth Test against England in Manchester. The former India captain remarked that Sundar’s achievement is something he will cherish for a long time.
Interestingly, Sundar had narrowly missed out on centuries twice against England at home in 2021, finishing unbeaten on 85 and then dismissed on 96. In Manchester, however, he reached the milestone with an unbeaten 101 off 206 balls, including nine fours and a six.
He put together a vital 203-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who remained not out on 107 off 185 deliveries, to guide India to safety. Rahane also supported the pair’s decision to continue batting and delay the draw, saying they rightly deserved their centuries.
In the Manchester Test, Sundar scored an unbeaten 101 and shared a vital 203-run stand with Jadeja (107*) to secure a draw for India. Rahane backed their decision to delay the draw, saying both deserved their centuries. On Monday (July 28), the 37-year-old stated on his YouTube channel:
“8:25 – Yes, there were some heated moments involved. England wanted to stop the game, but I thought that India did right. Rightfully, they played the game really well because when two batters are batting on 90 and Washington was 84 or 85. They deserved that 100.”
“Getting your first hundred, especially for Washington Sundar in England, he will remember for his lifetime. Jadeja did that beautifully well, batted really well. He’s been batting really well. I’m really happy for him that he’s actually when team needed him the most, he’s actually delivering his performance,” Rahane added.
“It’s tough to bat” – Rahane praises Sundar and Jadeja’s match-saving stand
Ajinkya Rahane also praised Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja for collectively facing 391 deliveries while scoring their centuries on a Day 5 pitch that offered help to the bowlers. The Mumbai batter said in the same video:
“7:47 – Jadeja and Washington Sundar. I mentioned about Jadeja before the first Test match; his role will be really crucial for the team, and he did that really well. Showing again that hunger and character to bat time again, remember batting five sessions, day five, it’s not easy.
“wicket tends to get up and down, day four and day five, it becomes really difficult to bat, but what was important in the last innings was that discipline. Playing those 200 balls, Jadeja and Washington Sundar, and in the end getting that 100,” Rahane concluded.
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