Washington Sundar reflected on a memorable milestone in his career after scoring a resilient unbeaten century on the final day of the Manchester Test. With India under immense pressure, Sundar rose to the occasion, crafting a vital 101* and sharing a game-saving 203-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to force a draw and keep India’s hopes alive in the series.
After the match, Sundar admitted that the emotions were difficult to articulate. The all-rounder, who was promoted to bat at No. 5 in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant, said that his focus was purely on survival and resistance—qualities that defined the knock.
Echoing his mindset, Sundar revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir’s message was simple yet powerful: fight through the day, ball by ball.
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“It feels very special. Honestly, it’s hard to put this into words. A Test hundred is something truly unique. Every century counts, but this one—given the situation—means the world to me. Batting at No. 5 was a big responsibility, and my only goal was to fight the entire day. That was also the clear message from GG (Gambhir), and I’m just really happy we managed to hold on for a draw,” Washington Sundar told JioHotstar.
Discussing his monumental stand with Jadeja, Sundar emphasised how the duo focused on playing each delivery on its merit. Despite the challenging conditions, the pair remained disciplined, demonstrating grit and control to deny England a victory. The result sets up an enthralling finale at The Oval.
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“We kept it simple—play the ball, not the bowler. The pitch had something for everyone, so we planned to remain steady and not overcommit. To pull off a draw in those conditions, it feels incredible. The team fought hard across all five days, and this result gives us a big lift heading into the final Test,” he added.
The series decider will begin at The Oval on July 31.
