India all-rounder Washington Sundar joined Hampshire for the final two rounds of the County Championship. He was one of the probables to travel with the national team to the UAE for the ongoing Asia Cup, but the team management preferred Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department. Hence, ahead of the home international season, Washington Sundar joined the English club to not just keep him fit, but to stay in the reckoning for the Test side.
Gujarat Titans’ star all-rounder Washington Sundar was one of India’s standout performers against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Washington Sundar impressed with both bat and ball to help India level the five-match Test series 2-2 in England. The 25-year-old amassed 284 runs in four Tests at an average of 47.33, including a century and a fifty. Apart from showcasing his batting prowess, the talented all-rounder contributed with seven wickets in the riveting Test series.
Having delivered significant all-round performances throughout the series, Washington Sundar further cemented his place in India’s formidable Test team, fulfilling his role of a spinner who also added depth to the batting department. With that being said, let’s have a look at Washington Sundar’s all-round impact in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Maiden Test ton in Manchester to keep series alive
Washington Sundar slammed his maiden Test hundred against England in the second innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester to help India save the Test.
With England leading 2-1 in the series and having secured a massive 311-run first innings lead in Manchester, India battled for survival as they were reduced to 222/4 in their second innings, before Ravindra Jadeja joined Washington Sundar at the crease. Batting at No.5, Washington Sundar later produced a herculean effort with Jadeja to stitch an unbeaten 203-run partnership for the fifth wicket to salvage a draw at Old Trafford.
During their sensational double century-run stand, Washington Sundar brought up his maiden Test century and remained unbeaten on 101, which was laced with nine fours and one maximum. Washington Sundar was ably supported by Jadeja, who notched up his fifth Test ton (107*) to keep India alive in the five-match Test series.
Four-wicket haul at the iconic Lord’s
During the third Test at Lord’s, Washington Sundar showcased his versatility as a cricketer as he played a key role for India with his right-arm off-spin. After India equalled England’s first innings score of 387 to keep the Lord’s Test in balance, Washington Sundar turned the game in India’s favour with a magical spell of spin bowling.
The Titans’ all-rounder stole the show as he outfoxed England talisman Joe Root with subtle drift. Washington Sundar continued his magnificent spell as he bamboozled wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and later cleaned up England captain Ben Stokes to reduce England to 181/7. He then dismissed Shoaib Bashir to help India wrap up England’s innings for 192 in 62.1 overs to finish with brilliant figures of 12.1-2-22-4. However, Washington Sundar’s incredible bowling spell later went in vain as India fell short by 22 runs at Lord’s.
Game-changing fifty at Oval to help India square series
Washington Sundar smashed a series-defining half-century in the second innings of the fifth and final Test at the Oval in London. Batting at No.9, the southpaw played a game-changing knock as he added crucial runs with the lower order.
Having walked out to bat at 323/7, Sundar took the attack to the opposition before losing his partner, Ravindra Jadeja, in the 84th over. Following Jadeja’s dismissal, Washington Sundar clobbered the England bowlers to all parts of the ground to notch up his fifth half-century in Test cricket.
Washington Sundar’s swashbuckling 53 off 46 balls, which included four fours and four sixes, powered India to 396 all out to help set up a fourth innings target of 374 for England. India later rode on Mohammed Siraj’s five-wicket haul to seal a dramatic six-run victory to level the series 2-2. With all this success in his bag, Washington Sundar views Ashish Nehra, his Gujarat Titans coach, as a blessing for his career, praising Nehra’s emphasis on long hours of practice and knowledge-sharing, which Sundar feels keeps him prepared for opportunities.
Ashish Nehra was very calm- Washington Sundar
Team India all-rounder Washington Sundar credited the Gujarat Titans (GT) coach Ashish Nehra for his impactful performance with the bat in the recently concluded Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The series was drawn 2-2 with India winning the Final test. Washington Sundar notched up his maiden century in the second innings of the fourth Test at Manchester. He scored unbeaten 101 runs off 206 balls to help India draw the match.
The all-rounder hailed Ashish Nehra for helping him improve his batting skills during IPL 2025. Washington Sundar played for Gujarat Titans. He revealed that Ashish Nehra would give him a lot of batting in the nets, which also helped him prepare for the test series later on.
“I was with Ashish Nehra at GT in the IPL. In this IPL, the amount of batting preparation I did, I have never played that much in my life. He gave me that much batting. The things I did there helped me in this match.
It was the last wicket and I had to hit so the power hitting definitely helped. Whether it was GT’s support staff or our whole prep culture, everything helped me in many ways. So, it was a super moment,” he said in an episode on 1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.
The GT all-rounder also spoke about his mindset during the special knock. He expressed that head coach Gautam Gambhir believed a lot in him. Washington Sundar also mentioned that he backed himself to bat for two and a half sessions.
“Some things, we always keep in mind while batting. When we are only focused on those things, the outside noise or what others are saying, or the pressure from the outside, it won’t be there. I mean, I am sure. It won’t be there. So, I was genuinely only focused on a couple of things.
One, obviously, being watching the ball really closely. And, I just trusted my instincts. I believed that I could actually do it for the team. And, I believed that I could play two and a half sessions. And, obviously, my coach believed a lot. Pant did not bat in that innings. As a team, it was great to draw that match with such a performance,” he added.
Going further , Washington Sundar also opened upon Shubman Gill’s leadership. Shubman Gill was named India’s new Test captain ahead of the England tour. It was his first series as a skipper. Morever , trhe team was also in a transition phase with seniors like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin having retired from the format.
“With his leadership, he was very calm. Obviously, playing against England, we always expected them to be a little aggressive with their approach. And the conditions are also quite different. But, his calm nature was evident in all situations. Especially, when we were fielding, he was very calm. And he was just telling us what we needed to do in those situations, and not really think too far ahead,” he said.
Shubman Gill exceptionally well under pressure as they levelled the series . Shubman Gill was also outstanding with the bat having scored 754 runs with four centuries including a double century. Washington Sundar also hailed Shubman Gill for showing the level of maturityhe did as a young leader.
“And that kind of maturity, I feel is a big thing in the first series. And the first series being abroad, not in India. Obviously, he would have played a lot of matches. He would have led also. But, he was very calm. And as bowlers, when he came to us, we were very clear as to what we should do. In those situations, he was very, very calm,” he added.
Washington Sundar has played 13 tests so far He has picked 32 wicketsand has scored 752 runs. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has played 40 First-Class matches in his career, scoring 1885 runs. He also has 91 wickets to his name in the longest format. Washington Sundar last played English domestic cricket in 2022 for Lancashire in the County Championship and One Day Cup and his rcent stint will give him enough practice before India takes on West Indie in whites on 2nd October 2025 .
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