Washington Sundar Feels There’s Something For “Bowlers” On Melbourne Wicket

December 28, 2024: Washington Sundar’s 127-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy late on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia has injected fresh hope into India’s prospects in the match. With India struggling at 221/7 and the Australian bowlers having dominated much of the game, Sundar’s partnership with Reddy not only helped avoid the follow-on but also closed the gap significantly on Australia’s first innings total of 474.

Sundar, who scored a crucial half-century (50) during the partnership, praised Reddy’s remarkable performance, which included an unbeaten 105*. The duo’s resilience in the face of a challenging situation was a standout moment of the day. Sundar, reflecting on the team’s position, expressed optimism for the coming days: “I still feel there’s something for the bowlers in this wicket,” Sundar said after stumps on Day 3. “It has been overcast for most of the game until now. If we can bowl in the right areas, if we can take our chances, I’m sure we should be able to get them for 150 and Day 5 will be about (that) exactly.” Sundar’s confidence in the bowling attack shows that India is still very much in the contest, with the potential to put pressure on Australia in the remaining days.

The partnership between Sundar and Reddy was key to India’s recovery. Sundar, who was included in the team ahead of top-order batter Shubman Gill, scored his third Test fifty and second in Australia. Reflecting on his performance, Sundar expressed gratitude to the Indian coaching staff for their faith in him: “Gauti bhai and all the support staff kept believing in me, kept telling me what I was capable of, especially at this level, in this format. That really means a lot to me. Makes me believe that I can do special things for the Indian team.” Sundar’s resilience was clear, even though he wished he could have converted his innings into a bigger score.

On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden Test century stood out as a defining moment of the day. His knock, which included 10 boundaries and one six, was an exceptional display of mental toughness and cricketing skill. Sundar, who has known Reddy for years, was full of praise for the young batter: “He’s mentally very, very strong. The way he went about his business today was amazing.” Sundar also highlighted Reddy’s ability to read the game, noting how he knew when to play aggressively and when to defend, understanding the ebb and flow of the match. “An unbelievable hundred, it will be talked about for a very, very long time,” Sundar added.

Sundar went on to praise Reddy’s work ethic, drawing from their time together in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “One thing about Nitish, no matter what he’s doing – on the field, off it – he’s going to give his 120 percent. That’s his approach to life, not just cricket,” Sundar said. His words underline Reddy’s commitment and determination, which have clearly made an impact on the Indian squad. Sundar also reflected on how Reddy’s efforts during the IPL indicated that something special was on the horizon.

As the day ended with India at 358/9, trailing Australia by 116 runs, Reddy’s century and Sundar’s invaluable contribution ensured that India still had a fighting chance. With two full days left in the Test, the stage is set for an intriguing contest, and Sundar’s belief in his team’s ability to get Australia out cheaply in the second innings adds to the excitement.