Washington Sundar delivered a standout bowling performance at Lord’s, dismantling England’s top order with his subtle spin and unique off-breaks, putting India in a strong position.
The Unsung Hero Shines
Washington Sundar, often seen as cricket’s quiet achiever, proved his immense value on a challenging Lord’s pitch. His calm demeanor and versatile skills have consistently made him a preferred choice for coaches like Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid, and Gautam Gambhir.
Despite not always grabbing headlines, Sundar consistently delivers vital contributions. His ability to bat, bowl, and perform under pressure makes him a crucial asset in any crisis situation.
Dismantling England’s Best
On a lively Lord’s track, Sundar targeted England’s most resilient batsmen: Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Ben Stokes. These players were expected to navigate the tricky conditions, but Sundar had other plans.
Unlike the ‘Bazballers’ who struggled against pace, Sundar’s nuanced spin came alive as the pitch wore down. He required no help from his fielders, achieving all his dismissals through clean bowled efforts.
He first broke Joe Root’s famous defense, then followed up by removing in-form wicket-keeper Jamie Smith. The man known for miracles, Ben Stokes, also fell to Sundar’s guile. He wrapped up the innings by clean bowling No. 11 Shoaib Basheer, folding England for 192.
Sundar finished with impressive figures of 4/22. This performance, while just shy of a Lord’s Honour Board five-wicket haul, was immensely impactful. It ranks as one of the best by a spinner in England this century, second only to Harbhajan Singh’s 5/115.
The Art of the Non-Turning Off-Break
What makes Washington Sundar unique is his ability to find minimal, yet effective, spin. Even on pitches that offer significant turn, his off-breaks are designed to hit the stumps directly, rather than over-turning and missing.
This subtle variation is his secret weapon. While a Ravindra Jadeja delivery might turn too much, Sundar’s precision ensures the ball finds its target. His high-arm action and tall frame also help him extract bounce, adding another dimension to his bowling attack.
Masterful Dismissals Unpacked
Jamie Smith’s wicket perfectly showcased Sundar’s skill. He bowled several off-spinners that turned into the batsman before delivering one that drifted away on a length, tricking Smith into missing a non-existent turn.
Joe Root fell attempting a sweep shot. As he moved across his stumps, Sundar exploited the gap, bowling a delivery that snuck past his legs and broke the stumps.
Ben Stokes also succumbed while sweeping. After hitting a boundary off one sweep, Stokes tried the same shot again. However, Sundar cleverly bowled a fuller delivery, almost a yorker, which the England captain misread, leading to his dismissal.
India’s Fight Continues
As India began their chase of 193, the match turned into a dramatic theatre. The evening session saw verbal exchanges and strategic delays, culminating in England snatching an extra over where Stokes dismissed Akash Deep.
India ended the day at 58/4, needing 135 more runs. With dashers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill back in the pavilion, the hopes now rest on experienced campaigners like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and potentially, Washington Sundar himself, to guide India to victory.
- Washington Sundar took 4/22, dismantling England’s top order at Lord’s.
- He clean bowled key batsmen Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Ben Stokes.
- Sundar’s unique strength is his subtle off-spin that consistently targets the stumps, even on turning pitches.
- His performance has put India in a fighting position, needing 135 more runs with six wickets in hand.
Having delivered a pivotal bowling performance, the stage might just be set for Washington Sundar to finally claim the spotlight and cement his place as a match-winner for India.
