All-rounder Washington Sundar missed out on his maiden Test century by just four runs as the Indian cricket team was dismissed on 365 on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against England at Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium.
The 21-year-old came out to bat on Day 2 when India were reeling on 146/6. He went on to play a brilliant 113-run stand with Rishabh Pant, who scored 101, before playing another century partnership (106) for the eighth wicket with Axar Patel. India looked well on course for a bigger score, but the momentum changed to England's way when Axar Patel was run out by Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. With two wickets still in hand and the century, a mere four runs away, there was hope.
Ishant Sharma walked in to bat, and Ben Stokes dismissed the lanky bowler with a peach of a delivery. The England all-rounder caught Sharma LBW right on the middle stump. Three deliveries later, Stokes dismissed Mohammed Siraj to end India's innings at 365 runs, and leave Sundar stranded at 96. This is the second time Sundar has missed out on his century, as he remained unbeaten on 85 in the first Test of the ongoing series in Chennai.
You can see the pain on #WashingtonSundar face!😔
— ▪️ (@flickofkohli) March 6, 2021
Not century bt not less than Century!#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/6Eiu15pkNV
Needless to say, the all-rounder and his teammates would be disappointed with the way how the innings ended, but the pain was shared on social media too. This is how the fans are reacting to it;
Surely all cricket fans feel bad for Washington Sundar….genuine talent…played great once again, but stranded AGAIN….so close to a maiden test ton.
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) March 6, 2021
Will make many in the future 🏏
Uh, oh, #WashingtonSundar stranded on 96. What a travesty. Had played superbly
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2021
Washington Sundar's father to Axar, Ishant and Siraj. pic.twitter.com/68EvldN0Q5
— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) March 6, 2021
😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 6, 2021
Washington Sundar is left stranded on 96 at the non-striker's end as he, once again, runs out of partners 😟
But what an innings, he has put #TeamIndia in the driving seat after walking out in a difficult situation 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
🇮🇳 - 365 (114.4)#INDvENG
Washington Sundar appreciation tweet 👏👏
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 6, 2021
Very very well played 🙌#INDvENG #OrangeArmy #KeepRising
Feel for Washington Sundar, missed out on a well deserving century. What a knock by him, 96 not out! Hope his father won't be disappointed this time.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 6, 2021
85* in the first Test.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2021
96* in the fourth Test.
Washington Sundar missed out two hundreds in the series as both times he run-out of partners at the other end.
— शशांक शेखर (@Ishashank16) March 6, 2021
Axar, Ishant and Siraj next time they meet Washington's father at a function😅
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 6, 2021
But seriously this 96* is no less than a hundred, very well played @Sundarwashi5 👏👏 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/V6qRXBbwfl
I Sharma and Siraj fall quickly. Sundar misses out on his century! He walks off 96*. Feel devastated for him! But it’s his highest Test score. What a brilliant young talent he is! On ya Washi! A delight to watch. HUGE things coming for him. India leads by 160. 🇮🇳🏴#INDvENG
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 6, 2021
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / BCCI