The young Indian all-rounder, Washington Sundar missed out to score his maiden century by four runs in the ongoing fourth Test against England at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium after the host’s god bundled out for 365 runs in their first innings. The hosts have taken a healthy 160-run lead to England.
When Axar Patel was run out for 43 runs in the 114th over, Sundar just needed four runs to get to register his maiden century in the longest format of the game. However, he was left stranded on 96 as Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma were removed for ducks. England all-rounder Ben Stokes sent back both Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Siraj in the very next over to make sure Sundar stays unbeaten on 96 at the other end.
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Earlier, the home team began Day 3 with an overnight score of 293/7. From there, Sundar and Axar built a strong partnership of 106 runs for the eighth wicket. The crucial stand was broken after Axar got run out in the 114th over.
Indian batsmen unbeaten in the 90s with no partners left:
- Gundappa Viswanath – 97* v WI, Chennai 1974/75
- Dilip Vengsarkar – 98* v SL, Colombo 1985
- Ravichandran Ashwin – 91* v ENG, Kolkata 2012/13
- Washington Sundar – 96* v ENG, Ahmedabad 2020/21 *
At lunch, England has scored six runs without any loss, and they trail by 154 runs. Earlier on day 2, Rishabh Pant walked in to bat at No.5 after the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane when the hosts were reeling at 80 for 4. He started his innings cautiously but accelerated spectacularly, especially after England took the second new ball. He was at his ferocious best, thrashing the England bowlers on his whims and fancies.
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Pant’s century-plus partnership with Washington Sundar tilted the game in favor of the hosts who finished day two on 294-7. Sundar was batting on 60 and Axar Patel was on 11 with India 89 ahead of England at stumps on Day 2 of the series-finale in Ahmedabad.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the brilliant knack of Washington Sundar:
Feel really bad for @Sundarwashi5 But he must feel really proud the way he batted and contributed to the Team when required. I am sure he will definitely get more opportunities to score 💯s #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/HKYroRNwlI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 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
I wanted Washington to get his 100 with Siraj at the other end, mainly to see Siraj’s reaction 😊
Well played young champ 👏👏👏@Sundarwashi5— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 6, 2021
These young guns are on a roll ,Well played @Sundarwashi5 n @akshar2026 What n inning , it’s as good as a 💯!! Very imp partnership washi- akshar !! Team India 🇮🇳 in the driving position #AhmedabadTest #INDvsENG
— Mithun V Manhas (@MithunManhas) March 6, 2021
Feel for you @Sundarwashi5 ! Keep batting like this & you are going to score a lot of tons in test cricket! A superb match winning knock for #TeamIndia ! #INDvsENG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/vQeuk5Ox2I
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 6, 2021
Washing'TON' Sundar
I was waiting to write this…but it's okay, I'm sure I'll use this very soon!
Fabulous knock @Sundarwashi5 👌🏻#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/ugnEsVUOzh— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 6, 2021
Axar, Ishant and Siraj next time they meet Washington's father at a function😅
But seriously this 96* is no less than a hundred, very well played @Sundarwashi5 👏👏 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/V6qRXBbwfl— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 6, 2021
Washington Sundar 96* – deserved a century.
Axar's run out was against the run of play!
Washington has the potential to play in the Indian team as a batsman— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/ajarrodkimber/status/1368073563404722179?s=20https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/1368073592672448515?s=20
Hard luck Sundar!
Those four runs would have made more memorable with numbers but India has always obsessed with the 90s so don't worry. This was an excellent innings under pressure.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) 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
Very unfortunate that he wasn’t able to get a much deserved hundred but what he has done is he has set India up to win this game and the series. Superb effort @Sundarwashi5
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 6, 2021
You gotta feel for Sundar 😢😭
Remained stranded on 85 in Chennai, and today he stays unbeaten on 96 as Stokes knocks Siraj over 😢
🇮🇳 have been bowled out for 365, lead by 160 runs 💪#INDvENG #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 6, 2021
Oh that’s such a rough deal. Deprived of a Washing-ton after such a wonderful innings. #INDvENG
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) March 6, 2021
Back-to-back wickets for Ben Stokes after he gets rid of Ishant and Siraj within four deliveries.
Sundar stays unbeaten on 96*, missing out on a well-deserved century 😔
🇮🇳 – 365 all out#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #INDvENG
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 6, 2021
😭😭😭😭😭😭
Washington Sundar is left stranded on 96 at the non-striker's end as he, once again, runs out of partners 😟
But what an innings, he has put #TeamIndia in the driving seat after walking out in a difficult situation 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
🇮🇳 – 365 (114.4)#INDvENG
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 6, 2021