On the hallowed turf of Lord’s, where cricketing dreams are forged, Washington Sundar delivered a performance for the ages on Day 4 of the 3rd Test against England. Washington Sundar, with his unassuming demeanor and steely resolve, spun a web around England’s batsmen, claiming four wickets for a mere 22 runs in 12.1 overs. Each dismissal was a bowled masterpiece, a rare spectacle that left the crowd buzzing and India on the brink of a historic victory.
As the evening shadows lengthened on July 13, 2025, Sundar took center stage. His first victim was none other than Joe Root, England’s linchpin. The ball pitched on middle and leg, spun viciously, and crashed into the off-stump, leaving Root bewildered and the Indian camp erupting in joy. The wicket was a turning point, signaling the start of England’s collapse. Next came Jamie Smith, a rising star who looked set to counterattack. Sundar’s guile was too much; a perfectly pitched delivery beat Smith’s defense, sending the stumps cartwheeling. Reflecting on this moment, Sundar later said, “God was very kind… it was important for me to hit the right areas.”
Washington Sundar foxes England batters
The drama peaked when Washington Sundar dismissed England captain Ben Stokes. Known for his match-defining heroics, Stokes was undone by a dipping, turning delivery that outfoxed his attempted drive, rattling the stumps. The final blow came with Shoaib Bashir’s wicket, as Sundar completed his quartet of bowled dismissals, leaving England at 264 all out. Washington Sundar’s figures of 4/22 were a testament to his skill, with teammates like Prasidh Krishna praising his “spot-on lengths and lines” and Sai Sudharsan calling the spell “inspiring.”
Washington Sundar’s contributions weren’t limited to bowling. Earlier in the match, he anchored India’s middle order with a composed 23 runs, proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder. His batting provided crucial stability, setting the stage for India’s chase of 193 runs. By stumps, India stood at 58/4, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 33, needing 135 more runs with six wickets in hand.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Washington Sundar exuded confidence. “Definitely, India (are) winning tomorrow. Probably just after Lunch,” he declared, his voice brimming with conviction. He acknowledged the team’s strong position but noted, “The position we’re in right now, probably for one (wicket) at Stumps today would have been ideal.” He also lauded the bowling unit, crediting fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep for their pressure, which allowed spinners like himself and Ravindra Jadeja to thrive. “The fast bowlers put a lot of pressure on England, and we spinners just had to keep it tight,” he said.
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Washington Sundar’s humility shone through as he reflected on his dream spell. “I’ve definitely imagined getting batters bowled. But all four bowled? Definitely not. That felt special,” he said with a smile. “That’s why you play cricket — to see the stumps go flying. Even as a spinner, that feeling never gets old.” He described the day as “one of the best with the ball for me, especially outside of India,” a sentiment echoed in the BCCI’s celebratory video, “BoWled (th)’em,” which captured the team’s jubilation.
With the series Hawkins series tied at 1-1, Washington Sundar’s heroics have tilted the scales in India’s favor. As the final day looms, all eyes are on the young all-rounder who turned the tide at Lord’s, proving that dreams do come true on cricket’s grandest stage.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: KL Rahul’s 33 Keeps India Alive In Thrilling Lord’s Chase