Trisha Ghosal in London
It’s set up to be a Lord’s classic. India need 135 runs. England need six wickets. The buzz hasn’t stopped since that frantic final half-hour where India lost three. But Washington Sundar, who had one of his best days with the ball in overseas Tests, believes India are still in the contest. Calm in his words but fierce in intent, the all-rounder backed his side to “come out positive” and handle the pressure.
“We’ll take this any day and we’ll come out positive”
Asked about India’s position heading into the final day, Washington was quietly confident: “We want a lot of things to go the way we expect, but we’ll take this any day. A win at Lord’s would be amazing. We’ve got some solid batsmen in the dressing room. It’s all very exciting.”
He reiterated that the belief in the camp is strong, despite the late stutter. “We’re sitting pretty. We’ll assess things in the morning and play to the minute.”
Best overseas day with the ball? “Definitely”
With a four-wicket haul to his name and some crucial breakthroughs, Washington admitted Day 4 was special. “Definitely one of the best days with the ball for me outside India. I had solid plans and wanted to contribute in different passages. And it worked.”
He dismissed key batters and credited his mindset over technical tweaks: “I wasn’t thinking much about the slope or surface. My plans weren’t based on that. Just hit the right areas and let the rest happen.”
From role-player to game-changer — does it get frustrating?
When asked about switching between restrictive bowling and being expected to bat deep, Washington didn’t flinch: “It’s a team game. You’ve got to do what’s needed. Different roles are thrown at you — that’s what makes Test cricket exciting.”
Aggression and energy? “It’s always inside us”
Washington said the spark that lit up the final 15-20 minutes wasn’t new. “That energy is always there — it just came out a bit more. The aggression, the intensity — it’s part of us as athletes. And yes, it lifts performance.”
He believes both sides are ready for a fight. “We expect England to come hard, just like we will. Test cricket demands 100% every single day.”
Memories of Brisbane, hopes for Lord’s
Washington was reminded of another pressure-filled moment — Gabba 2021. “Every experience helps. The key is to bring out the best version of yourself. Tomorrow’s a big day, and we’re all looking forward to it.”
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