With half the Indian batting lineup already back in the pavilion, all eyes will now turn to all-rounder Washington Sundar as he steps out to bat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India suffered a batting collapse late on Day 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), undoing the good work of Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had earlier stitched together a century partnership for the third wicket. Australia’s bowlers seized the momentum, claiming three quick wickets before stumps and putting the hosts firmly in control.
Washington Sundar, batting at number eight, carries the hopes of the Indian team to stabilize the innings and offer resistance. India ended the day at a precarious 164 for 5, with Rishabh Pant (6) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) set to resume the innings on Saturday. Sundar acknowledged the expectations placed on him by the team management during his post-match press conference.
“Isn’t it amazing that the team wants me to do really well in all three aspects of the game? That’s a great opportunity for me,” Washington Sundar said. “It’s about stepping up in whatever situation the team requires, putting in the right energy, and getting the job done. That’s my focus.”
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Despite the challenging position, Washington Sundar remained optimistic about India’s chances in the match. “We were in a great position to post a big total, but we will continue to fight tomorrow morning. The energy in the dressing room is positive, and we’re ready to give our all over the next three days,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the pitch conditions, Sundar observed that the MCG strip had improved for batting compared to the first day.
“Yesterday, the wicket was a bit soft due to the lack of sunlight. But today, it played much better. I believe the surface will hold up well over the next couple of days, making it an exciting contest,” Washington Sundar added.
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With three days of play remaining, India will look to rebuild and narrow the deficit against Australia’s first-innings total of 474. The match hangs in the balance, but Sundar’s resilience and the team’s determination could prove crucial in keeping India’s hopes alive in the pivotal encounter of the series.
