At the end of a pulsating fourth day at Lord’s, Washington Sundar‘s press conference carried a curious rhythm. The word “definitely” surfaced exactly a dozen times, slipping regularly through Washington Sundar‘s measured answers. It wasn’t bluster or bravado, just a quiet verbal tick, a gentle insistence that India would ‘definitely’ claim victory, even as the Test hung delicately in the balance.
It was a usage that lingered in the air, much like the 25-year-old Washington Sundar himself on the field: seemingly drifting in and out of sight, until, suddenly, he drifted sharply into focus.
Washington Sundar Creates History at Lord’s
Washington Sundar created history as he spun the game in India’s favour on the fourth Day of the Lord’s Test match against England with a memorable spell and put the Shubman Gill side in the driver’s seat to seal a 2-1 lead in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Washington Sundar got the big wicket of Joe Root, who scored a century in the first innings and was batting at 40 in the second.
Later, he replaced Jamie Smith, who has been arguably England’s best batter in the series and hit a 50+ score in each of the last three innings. The 25-year-old Washington Sundar then got the wickets of England captain Ben Stokes before wrapping up the innings by dismissing Shoaib Bashir.
Washington Sundar produced the fourth-best bowling figures by an Indian spin bowler at Lord’s in history, a ground India have played 20 times in history. Washington Sundar’s spell of 4-22 is the best by an Indian spinner at the iconic stadium in the 21st century.Washington Sundar has become just the fifth Indian spinner in history to take a four-wicket haul at Lord’s in history and the first player since Srinivas Venkataragavan in 1971 (51 years ago) to achieve the feat.
Since the turn of the century, Anil Kumble has taken a three-wicket haul twice and another two-wicket haul. Ravindra Jadeja also got a two-wicket haul in the famous 2014. No other Indian spinner since 2000 has managed to take more than a wicket in a spell at cricket’s spiritual home.
Talking about the match, England were bowled out for 192 after the teams finished level on scores in the first innings. At Stumps, India are 58-4 setting up a tense Day 5. However India’s bowling hero Washington Sundar is positive about India acheiving a memorable win at the historic venue despite some early setbacks and has asserted the same.
Washington Sundar firmly believes that India will come out victorious on Day 5 at Lord’s
India all-rounder Washington Sundar remains confident that his side will complete the crucial chase of 193 runs on a tricky day five pitch at Lord’s against England and clinch victory in this historic Test. Sundar’s four-wicket haul on day four played a key role in bowling England out for 192, setting the stage for a tense final day.
However, India found themselves in early trouble, slipping to 58 for four with key batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, and nightwatchman Akash Deep back in the pavilion. Indian opener KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 33, and the touring side needs another 135 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
“We want so many things the way we expect it to be, but yes, we’ll take it any day. We’ll really come out positive tomorrow. We’ve got some solid batsmen in the dressing room. It’s exciting in every way, you know, winning a Test at Lord’s is going to be amazing. So, I think we’re sitting pretty,” Sundar said during the post-day press conference.
Chosen ahead of Kuldeep Yadav for his all-round abilities, Washington Sundar justified his selection with timely breakthroughs that dented England’s batting line-up.
“Definitely one of the best days with the ball for me, especially outside of India. But yes, I definitely had some solid plans coming into this Test match and really wanted to execute them both in the first and second innings,” he explained.
“There are different roles thrown at me in different passages of play. I would say that’s where Test cricket gets a lot more exciting because you’ve got to be a slightly different cricketer, at least with your mindset on day five compared to day one,” added Washington Sundar, who enjoyed dismissing in-form Jamie Smith.
When asked about a potential victory, Washington Sundar was clear about its significance.
“A win as a team at Lord’s would be very, very special for us. It would be amazing. I’m sure for you lot as well. It’s going to be exciting tomorrow. I mean, especially the last 15-20 minutes was quite interesting today,” he noted, referring to the increased intensity at the close of play.
Washington Sundar also commented on the competitive spirit shown by both sides, particularly following a tense incident on day three.
“I would say the aggression is always inside of us in both dressing rooms. It’s just that there was an incident that happened and it sort of came out as well last evening (Day 3). And it did come out quite a bit today as well. It definitely does fuel energy. I mean, it’s a sport and everyone is quite aggressive and quite intense in their own ways. No matter the sport, if you’re an athlete, it’s a common factor,” he concluded.
With a challenging chase ahead, India will rely on their composure and the “solid” batting talent Washington Sundar praised to script a memorable victory at the Home of Cricket.
And the beauty of it all was how understated it felt. By the end of three innings, India stood within reach of a series lead. The quicks had done their share. But Lord’s – a venue that has seen only 18% of overs in the last three years bowled by spin – had been quietly claimed by a spinner who doesn’t so much force himself into the frame as gently wander into it.
A ‘definitely maybe’ in a team, whose biggest value is perhaps not with the ball, but the calm assurance of runs in the lower order. Qualities that might drift back into focus if India are to push and complete another memorable Lord’s win on the final day.
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