TimesofIndia.com in London:Washington Sundar is value. Washington Sundar is utility. Washington Sundar gives depth. Washington Sundar picks wickets.Washington Sundar does everything the team demands, yet continues to slip under the radar.Unlike a genuine all-rounder who merits a spot in the XI on either batting or bowling, Washington strengthens his case as a complete package—a bowler who can bat or a batter who can bowl. Say it whichever way you like; the order doesn’t change what he brings to the table. The role might change as per the team’s demands, but his value won’t, and the overall impact remains the same.He may not be as intimidating as your regular match-winner, but the contributions are so invaluable that they often alter the complexion of the game. And Lord’s was no different.First, a crucial 23 with the bat, and then a match-defining spell of 4/22 with the ball meant the Washington package again had a big say.He was drafted into the Playing XI at Edgbaston to lend batting depth and do the holding job with the ball. In just one game’s time, he not only continued to play the role with the bat but moved into a leading act with the ball. On a pitch that had inconsistent bounce, Washington kept firing at the stumps, and subtle variations ensured the English batters had no response to his darts.The off-spinner used the drift and just enough turn to disturb the woodwork of Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir. The first three wickets ensured India never allowed England to get away with the bat. He stuck to what bowling coach Morne Morkel had urged his quicks to do—keep attacking the stumps—and on the Day 4 Lord’s pitch, which had a lot for both pacers and spinners, it turned out to be the right recipe for success. In just 12.1 overs, the 25-year-old derailed the England innings and never allowed them to stage a fightback on one of his most memorable days with the red ball.
“One of the best days with the ball for me, especially outside of India. Had some solid plans coming into this Test match and really wanted to execute them both in the first and second innings. Wanted to contribute to the team in different passages of play. Very heartening how the day turned out for both me and the team,” said Washington in the post-day press conference.The Smith wicket was the pick of the lot—not only because it was a special delivery, but because it dismissed a batter who had troubled India in the last two Tests.“God was very kind. He was a very important wicket for us, considering the amount of runs he has already scored in the series. The ball came out very well out of my hand. It was important for me to hit the right areas, and I was able to do that today,” explained Washington.It’s no secret anymore that the all-rounder enjoys strong backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir. And it’s not just the current management—even the predecessors, led by Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri, always looked in his direction for insurance—either with the bat or ball.More often than not, he has delivered the goods and continues to be the penny stock with very strong fundamentals and a chart enticing enough to tempt the regular punts. His outings, however, have ensured it’s not a gamble anymore but a calculated risk. And when the risk pays off—like it did at Lord’s on Day 4—the returns remain in green!