Washington Sundar was left stranded on 96 Test ton on day 3 of the fourth Test against England. After a string of good scores and an 85 in the first Test in Chennai, Sundar was once again stranded agonisingly short of his maiden Test ton. He started day 3 on 60 and played watchfully to bring up his maiden Test ton. He was ably supported by Axar Patel at the other end as the duo added a 106-run stand.
Both Sundar and Axar played the situation very well and capitalised on the first session extending their overnight stand. India had scored quickly in the partnership before Axar Patel was run-out at the non-striker’s end in an attempt to help Sundar get close to his personal milestone. The Indian scorecard read 365 after Axar’s dismissal.
Ben Stokes picked up India’s final two wickets in the same over. First, he trapped Ishant Sharma plumb in front of the wicket. A couple of balls later, he went through the defenses of Mohammed Siraj.
Siraj played a gritty knock to help Ravichandran Ashwin get to a century in the third Test. However, he could not repeat the feat this time around, as Washington Sundar treaded back in disappointment. England meanwhile, will start their second innings looking to get past India’s 160 run lead first and then build on that.
The first session thus belonged to India largely due to the 106-run stand between Sundar and Axar which helped India get past 350 runs in the first innings. The unbeaten 96 now becomes Washington Sundar’s highest Test score after an unbeaten 85 in the first Test.
This is how Twitter reacted to Washington Sundar’s Unbeaten 96
Oh @Sundarwashi5, wasn't to be but very well played. There will be more centuries. It was batting of the highest class.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2021
Hatsoff @Sundarwashi5 👌👏 96*(174). UNFORTUNATELY STRANDED without partners in the end🙏
IND 365 AO!
After #Pant's audacious heroics, #WashingtonSundar silently went about his job & deserved a century! Sad.. 106 runs partnership with his spin partner #AxarPatel (43)#INDvsENG
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) March 6, 2021
A shame Siraj and Ishant didn't offer to carry Washington up the stairs there.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) March 6, 2021
I Sharma and Siraj fall quickly. Sundar misses out on his century! He walks off 96*. Feel devastated for him! But it’s his highest Test score. What a brilliant young talent he is! On ya Washi! A delight to watch. HUGE things coming for him. India leads by 160. 🇮🇳🏴#INDvENG
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 6, 2021
Washington Sundar's dad is not going to be pleased with Ishant and Siraj.#INDvENG
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 6, 2021
Oh dear @Sundarwashi5 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ how unlucky is that .. what a brilliant knock #indveng 3 wickets in 5 balls and he didn’t get to face a single delivery .. this guys knows to make tough runs 👏👏👏
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) March 6, 2021
No Ton for Washington….but was by no means any less. Cricket’s obsession with numbers/milestones must not take anything away from this stellar effort. His batting is commanding a place in the side…now, to pick a few more wickets. #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 6, 2021
Stylist and sundar @Sundarwashi5 well played budd 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 6, 2021
🇮🇳🤩A SUNDAR KNOCK! Despite unluckily missing out on his first Test century, @Sundarwashi5 played a potentially game-changing knock today. Take a bow, lad 👏
📷 BCCI • #INDvENG #washingtonsundar #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/jompjOVQDR
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) March 6, 2021
Uh, oh, #WashingtonSundar stranded on 96. What a travesty. Had played superbly
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2021
