Washington Sundar Shines as India Hold England to a Thrilling 2-2 Draw. Washington Sundar made a significant impact with both bat and ball as India delivered a spirited performance in the five-match Test series against England. Under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, the young Indian side showcased immense resilience and skill throughout the gripping series, which ultimately ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
India’s journey in the series began with a setback — a five-wicket defeat at Headingley in Leeds. However, the team bounced back emphatically in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, registering a historic 336-run victory — their first-ever Test win at the venue.
Following this high, India stumbled again with a narrow 22-run loss at Lord’s. But the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester saw them dig deep. Facing immense pressure, India managed to salvage a hard-fought draw when a defeat had seemed inevitable.
The final Test at The Oval delivered the most dramatic finish. In a tense finale, India clinched a remarkable six-run victory on the final day. With England needing just 35 runs and four wickets in hand, it was Mohammed Siraj who turned the game on its head by claiming a stunning five-wicket haul in the second innings.
This series showcased not only the fighting spirit of the Indian team but also sent a strong message — the future of Indian cricket is bright and in capable hands.
“We Can Dominate Test Cricket for a Long Time” – Gautam Gambhir
After the thrilling series win, Gautam Gambhir addressed the team in the dressing room, calling the 2-2 draw an outstanding result and expressing confidence that the squad will continue to improve. In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gambhir said:
“Congratulations to everyone. The way this series unfolded, a 2-2 result is excellent. Remember, we will keep getting better, keep working hard, and keep strengthening our game. If we maintain this mindset, we can dominate Test cricket for a very long time. Players may come and go, but the culture within the dressing room should always be one that others aspire to be a part of. That is the culture we want to build,” Gambhir emphasized.
Following Gambhir’s inspiring speech, Ravindra Jadeja announced the Impact Player of the Series award, which went to Washington Sundar. The all-rounder made significant contributions with both bat and ball throughout the series, playing a crucial role in almost every match. Washington Sundar scored 284 runs across the four games, averaging 47.33, including a century and a fifty. With the ball, he was equally effective, taking seven wickets, including a memorable four-wicket haul.
Upon receiving the award, Washington Sundar shared his thoughts:
“Playing four consecutive games in a place like England is truly a blessing. I’ve always wanted to perform well here, and as a team, the way we approached each day was incredible,” he said in the dressing room.
“The energy we created, especially in the field, showed how much we supported each other. I’m grateful for everything,” Washington Sundar added.
