Washington Sundar loved playing with boys older than his age: Sister Shailaja chuffed for Gabba star

Washington Sundar was among the many heroes that stood up for India in the absence of their A-listers during the injury-ravaged Australia tour. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder who stayed back after the limited-overs series as a net bowler to help the team with preparations ended up making an unlikely Test debut in the series finale in Brisbane as India used 20 players during the 4-Test series.

Sundar was roped in to the playing XI as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who was ruled out of the 4th Test after a fractured thumb. Sundar made his debut alongside T Natarajan as India fielded a bowling attack with a cumulative experience of 4 Tests at Australia's fortress, Gabba.

Sundar grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he came up with an all-round show in India's historic win at the Gabba as the visitors sealed a 2-1 series win and retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy, battling against all odds.

Sundar showcased tremendous character and grit despite not having played first-class cricket since 2017. The 21-year-old hit 62 in the first innings as a 123-run stand with Shardul Thakur helped India recover from 186 for 6 and end up with 336 in response to Australia's first innings total of 369. Sundar chipped in with a quickfire 22 in the 2nd innings as India gunned down a record target of 328 to end Australia's 32-year-long unbeaten run at the Gabba.

Sundar chipped in with 4 wickets as well and his victims include Steve Smith and David Warner. At no point, Sundar and the other youngsters in the XI looked overawed by the sense of occasion as they went about their job with the calmness of a senior pro. Sundar's six of Pat Cummins on Day 5 and his 53-run stand with Rishabh Pant will forever be etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans.

'It didn't look like a debutant was playing'

Shailaja Sundar, Washington's elder sister and a state cricketer herself, is chuffed for her brother's dream Test debut in Australia. Shailaja, who can bowl leg-spin and contribute with the bat, said it's Sundar's exposure to cricket from his childhood that has helped him prepare for bigger stages well.

Sundar, as Shailaja explains, has grown with cricket all round him. His father was also a cricketer who fell short of playing for Tamil Nadu.

The young all-rounder made his India debut at the age of 17 and became a household name, thanks to his performances in the shortest format of the game, both in the IPL and at the international level. However, the ease with which Sundar adapted to the biggest of all stages at the Gabba left a few surprised.

Shailaja wasn't one of them.

"The way Washi played was formidable. It didn't look like a debutant was playing his first game. I thoroughly enjoyed his partnership with Shardul Thakur. That really turned the game in India's favour and they went on to win the game. So happy," Shailaja told India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal.

"Well, I think Washington's life has always been around cricket. Right from his childhood, he has always watched cricket on the television. He loved playing cricket alongside boys older than his age. So I think, over the years, he has learned a lot. He has been able to adapt to tougher conditions and a lot more difficult situations.

"That was evident in the way he approached his innings. In the second innings, his partnership with Rishabh Pant was crucial. We needed some quick runs in a limited number of overs. That 50-plus partnership was very crucial. Over the years, he always made sure he is prepared for every game, no matter what level he plays. The work ethics that he has is very crucial in his successful career so far."

Sundar has been rewarded for his performance in Brisbane as the 21-year-old has been named in the Test squad for the first 2 matches of a 4-match series against England, starting in Chennai from February 5.