Indian spinner Washington Sundar, whose place in the playing XI was questioned ahead of the second Test Anderson-Tendulkar Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, proved all the critics wrong and repaid team management’s faith with his performance. Sundar was clinical with the ball, registering a crucial four-wicket haul to help India skittle out England for 192 in the second innings of the Lord’s Test on Sunday.
Sundar pulled back the game in India’s favour after breaking the dangerous-looking partnership between England’s skipper Ben Stokes and their most experienced batter Joe Root. Sundar cleaned up Root before he clean bowled Stokes and the highest run getter for the home team in this series, Jamie Smith. He then wrapped up England’s innings by removing the last man, Shoaib Bashir. His four dismissals were all bowled.
There is an interesting story of gratitude behind Sundar’s name. India’s hero on Day 4 got his unusual name thanks to his father for whom this was a tribute to his benefactor. This is from the time the India all-rounder’s father was trying to make it to the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy team.
During his days of struggle, father Sundar was helped by his aged neighbour, a sports enthusiast who had retired from the Army. He was PD Washington, who had taken a special liking to him while watching him play at the Marina ground.
With Sundar coming from a humble background, Washington would help him by buying him cricket gear and even ensure he got a good education while growing up. “He came to see me play and would always encourage me. Because I came from a humble background, he ensured that I didn’t miss out on cricket and bought me the whites and helped in whatever way he could. He was so fond of cricket that he wanted me to pursue my dream,” Sundar had said.
In 1999, Washington passed away. A few months later, Sundar’s wife gave birth to a baby boy in a complicated delivery. “My wife had a difficult delivery. But the baby survived. As per Hindu custom, I whispered a God’s name, ‘Srinivasan,’ in his ear. But I decided to name him Washington in memory of the man who had done so much for me,” he would recall.
