As the fifth and last day of the third Test at Lord’s draws near, everyone is watching India’s pursuit of 193 runs with six wickets intact. Even as there was a tough spot in 58 for 4 at stumps on Day 4, Washington Sundar is undeterred and confidently assures that India will prevail.
Talking to Sky Sports along with former England skipper Nasser Hussain and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, Washington had no hesitation in forecasting an Indian victory. “Certainly India are going to win tomorrow, most likely in the first session,” he declared, indicating the team’s confident belief and momentum.
When asked to comment on the timing of the win, Sundar replied that the target could be achieved “probably just after lunch.” This follows from India’s brilliant bowling performance that kept England under intense pressure, limiting them to 192 all out in their second innings.
Sundar himself was instrumental with the ball, taking four important wickets including England’s star batsmen Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jamie Smith, giving away merely 22 runs in 12.1 overs. His disciplined and tight spin bowling was key to breaking down England’s batting line-up, putting India in charge.
The Tamil Nadu bowler lauded the bowling effort from the team, particularly the fast bowlers who kept pressure on the entire day. “The way we bowled, all the fast bowlers especially, keeping the pressure for all day, was incredible,” Sundar observed.
India’s batting, while shaken early, has the skill and experience to navigate the last runs. Being left with six wickets in hand, players such as captain Shubman Gill and others will have to settle the innings and calmly go after the target.
But England won’t go quietly. India’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick issued a warning, “We will get six wickets in the first hour tomorrow,” as the stage was set for a nail-biting and edge-of-the-seat final day.
Nevertheless, with Washington Sundar’s assurance and the team’s solid overall performance, India appears to be well-suited to grab a vital 2-1 lead in this five-match series. Provided they manage to ride out the early storm and forge alliances, this historic Lord’s win is well within their reach.
