Washington Sundar, a 25-year-old Indian all-rounder, played a stunning unbeaten 101 off 206 balls in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. His century, alongside Ravindra Jadeja’s effort, formed a 203-run partnership, saving India from defeat on Day 5.

Sundar’s innings included nine fours and a six, showcasing his skill under pressure. He also contributed at Lord’s, taking four wickets for 22 runs in England’s second innings. In the series, he has scored 205 runs and taken seven wickets in three Tests.

His father, M. Sundar, criticized Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for underusing Washington in the IPL from 2018 to 2022. Despite playing 31 matches, he scored only 208 runs and took 19 wickets, often bowling economically in the powerplay.

M. Sundar highlighted Washington’s strong performances elsewhere, like a 14-ball 40 for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022. He also recalled Washington’s key role in the 2017/18 Nidahas Trophy, where he took eight wickets in five matches, earning Player of the Tournament.

In IPL 2025, Washington played for Gujarat Titans, scoring 114 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 166.25. His 48 off 24 balls in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians nearly chased a 200+ target, but a yorker from Jasprit Bumrah ended his effort.

M. Sundar expressed frustration over Washington’s lack of consistent opportunities. He pointed out that while other players like Yashasvi Jaiswal get regular backing, Washington often faces drops after one or two poor games, despite strong domestic and international performances.

In 2021, Washington scored an unbeaten 85 on a tough Chennai pitch and a match-winning 96 in Ahmedabad against England. He also made a memorable 50 on his Test debut during India’s famous Gabba victory in 2021.

M. Sundar argued that Washington deserves to bat consistently at number five, as he did in Manchester. He noted that Washington was surprisingly left out of the first Test against England, despite his proven ability in clutch moments.

The century in Manchester has brought Washington’s talent back into focus. His father believes that with regular chances, Washington can deliver even more for India. The all-rounder’s resilience and skill continue to shine despite inconsistent team selections.

Washington’s journey shows his ability to perform under pressure, whether with bat or ball. His Manchester century is a reminder of his potential, and fans hope he gets more opportunities to showcase his all-round skills in future matches.