Washington Sundar’s explosive 53-run knock powered India to set a formidable 374-run target against England in the fifth Test.

Washington Sundar Silent Reply to England’s Disrespect

When Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja turned down England captain Ben Stokes’ proposal to call off the fourth Test at Old Trafford about an hour before stumps, it led to a tasteless remark from Harry Brook: “If you wanted a hundred, you should have batted like that earlier.” The comment was widely criticized, especially given that both Indian batters were battling to save the match under pressure.

Undeterred, Washington Sundar and Jadeja each went on to score centuries before eventually agreeing to the draw. They could’ve kept batting until stumps, and England would’ve had no say in it. Yet, they chose not to—demonstrating sportsmanship England arguably didn’t deserve. Had they refused the handshake, no one could have faulted them. As Stokes later said ahead of the final Test, both sides had “moved on.”

But not quite. Washington Sundar, at least, seemed to carry the slight into the series decider at The Oval. His intent and edge with the bat on Day 3 didn’t go unnoticed—especially by former India coach Ravi Shastri, who believes it was no coincidence.

Washington Sundar Fiery Counterattack Silences Doubts

Washington Sundar delivered a breathtaking counterattack, smashing a 39-ball fifty that included four towering sixes. At one stage, he was crawling at 17 off 27 balls, with partners running out fast. With only Prasidh Krishna left, Sundar shifted gears. His assault began with a muscular hoick over mid-wicket off Gus Atkinson near the end of the 85th over.

He followed that with two more sixes in the next over from Josh Tongue—both off short balls, a length that had troubled him earlier in the series. It was a clear statement, aimed at those questioning his ability against the short stuff, and perhaps even a response to Harry Brook, who had earlier nudged him to score faster. Commentator Ian Ward reminded viewers, “Harry Brook told him to bat quickly to get his hundred in the last Test.” To which Ravi Shastri quipped, “He is now saying, ‘Let me get my hundred and then I will show you.’”

Sundar then hammered Atkinson for two boundaries and a six, bringing up his fifty with a powerful shot over the ropes. He scored his last 33 runs in just 12 balls before being dismissed for a blistering 53 off 36.

His late fireworks, combined with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century and valuable fifties from Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja, helped India set England a daunting 374-run target. England started steadily but lost Zak Crawley to a Mohammed Siraj yorker on the final ball of Day 3, ending the day at 50/1.