The Unforgettable Knock: How Washington Sundar Smashed His Highest Score in Test Cricket?

I woke up early that morning. Made some tea. Settled into my couch. Turned on the TV. India were batting. Wickets were falling. I was getting nervous. Then Washington Sundar walked out. Young guy. Big stage. Pressure situation.

I thought he would just hang around for a bit. Maybe score a few. Then get out. Like the others had. But he did not. He stayed. And stayed. And stayed.

He played with a calmness that made no sense for a 21-year-old. England bowlers tried everything. He just kept defending. Then he started scoring. Boundaries through covers. Sweeps behind square. Twos stolen from nowhere.

I have watched a lot of cricket. I have seen many innings. But this one was different. Sundar was not just surviving. He was dominating. And then it happened. He reached 96. Just four runs away from a century. His first. A moment he would never forget.

Then the wickets started falling. Not him. His partners. One by one. Like a horror movie. Mohammed Siraj. Out. Jasprit Bumrah. Out. Ishant Sharma. Out. India were all out. Sundar was left standing. Not out. On 96.

That was the day I learned something about cricket. And about Washington Sundar.

The Story Behind 96 Not Out

March 2021. Ahmedabad. Fourth Test against England.

India had already wrapped up the series. But this match mattered. A win would send India to the World Test Championship final. A loss would complicate things.

England batted first. They scored 205. India were in control.

Then India's batting collapsed. Middle order gone. Lower order gone. Except Sundar.

He walked in at number seven. The score was 128 for 6. India were in trouble.

He partnered with Rishabh Pant. They put on 113 runs. Then Pant fell. Sundar partnered with Axar Patel. Another 100-run stand. Sundar was batting like a seasoned pro.

He faced 161 balls. Hit 10 fours and one six. His strike rate was just under 60. Slow by T20 standards. Perfect for Tests.

But the tailenders could not stick around. Mohammed Siraj lasted 9 balls. Jasprit Bumrah lasted 10. Ishant Sharma lasted 16. None of them could give Sundar the strike he needed.

He was on 96. He needed partners who could hold their nerve. They could not.

The India England cricket match scorecard shows India won by an innings and 25 runs. Sundar's 96 was the highest score of the match. The backbone of the victory.

Why That Inning Still Hurts

I remember feeling frustrated. Not at Sundar. At the tailenders. At the cricketing gods.

Ninety-six is a cruel number. One boundary away. One big hit. One deflection. Anything.

But cricket does not work like that. You cannot choose your partners. You cannot control what they do. You can only control your own game.

Sundar controlled his. Perfectly. He did not throw his wicket away. He did not lose his concentration. He just ran out of time. And partners.

His father was in the stands. He told reporters later that he was disappointed. He felt the tailenders could have done more. I agreed with him. Still do.

Sundar took it better. He laughed about it. Said he would "get them next time."

Sundar's Batting Journey

That 96 was not his only impressive knock.

In 2021, he scored 62 on debut at the Gabba. India were chasing 328. Sundar and Shardul Thakur put on 123 runs. They broke Australia's streak at that ground. The first team to win there since 1988.

In total, Sundar has played 18 Test matches. He has scored 937 runs. He averages 44.61. That is excellent for a bowling all-rounder.

He has one century. Scored 101 not out against England in 2025. The fourth Test in Manchester.

So his actual highest score is now 101. But the 96 in Ahmedabad? That one had more drama. More tension. More heartbreak.

His Bowling Is Just as Dangerous

People forget about his bowling. They should not.

In October 2024, he took 7 wickets for 59 runs against New Zealand. That is a career-best haul.

In the recent India vs England T20 series, he was effective. India won the 4th T20 by 15 runs. Sundar bowled 4 overs. He conceded 31 runs. He took 1 wicket. Not spectacular. But solid. That is his game. Solid.

What Makes Sundar So Effective?

He is not flashy. He is not a big hitter. He is not a mystery spinner.

He is just good at the basics. Very good.

Batting Technique

Sundar plays late. He uses soft hands. He deflects the ball into gaps. He does not try to hit hard. He just tries to find space.

His defense is compact. His footwork against spin is tidy. He knows his off stump. He does not flash outside it.

He rotates strike well. He runs hard between wickets. He builds partnerships. He does not get bored. He does not get impatient.

Bowling Approach

His bowling is similar. No big turn. No massive drift. Just line and length. Consistency. Accuracy.

He bowls at a gentle pace. He gives the ball air. He invites the batsman to make mistakes. And they do.

The T20 Series and Broader Context

India recently played England in a T20 series. India won 4-1. The India vs England Today match WHO win question was answered decisively.

The 4th T20 was in Pune on January 31. India scored 181 for 9. Shivam Dube top-scored with 53. Sundar contributed 9 runs off 8 balls. Not his best with the bat.

But India won by 15 runs. They took an unassailable 3-1 lead. It was a team effort.

The 5th T20 was in Mumbai on February 2. India scored 247 for 9. Abhishek Sharma smashed 135 off 54 balls. Sundar did not bowl. He was not needed. India won by 150 runs.

Who Should Watch Sundar?

Best for:

Young cricketers learning how to build innings
Fans who appreciate proper Test match batting
Anyone who loves a good comeback story
People who value temperament over flash

Not for:

Those who only care about sixes and strike rates
People who judge a player solely on T20 performances
Anyone looking for aggressive, hit-out-or-get-out cricket

The Final Thoughts

I have watched cricket for twenty years. I have seen hundreds of innings. This one sticks with me. Sundar was 21. He was playing against a strong England attack. He was coming in when his team was in trouble. He was surrounded by batsmen who could not stay with him.

And he did not panic. He did not throw his bat around. He just played. Calmly. Patiently. Beautifully. He deserved that hundred. He earned it. But cricket does not care about deserving. It cares about scoring.

He scored 96. It was not enough for a century. But it was more than enough to win the match.

And next time you hear about Washington Sundar highest score, remember the 96. Not because it was his best. But because it showed what he is made of.