India’s allrounder Washington Sundar spoke about India’s terrific fightback at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Sundar himself was part of that fightback and made a vital contribution down the order.
While Sundar played the supporting act, Nitish Kumar Reddy was the star of the show with some brilliant batting under pressure. The youngster arrived at a difficult period but ensured to take his team across the line with a mature batting display.
India were in a spot of bother and were in danger of not even crossing the follow-on target when Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed. However, Reddy and Sundar showed great maturity and formed a terrific partnership to take the Men in Blue to a better position at the end of the day’s play.
Also read: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father breaks silence on nervous moments before son’s ton, reveals Virat Kohli’s advice
Washington Sundar speaks on India’s fightback
After stumps on Day 3, Washington Sundar was sent for the press conference on India’s behalf. The off-spinning allrounder was asked about the fightback from India’s lower order. He revealed the advice from the coaching staff to fight till the last moment in any kind of situation.
Sundar also spoke about playing on such a big occasion on historic ground and was determined to do anything that takes his team into a comfortable state.
“There is one thing about Rohit (Sharma) bhai, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and all the support staff, they keep telling us to fight no matter what and that’s something that has been instilled in us. No matter which situation we are in, we will just fight no matter what,” Sundar said to the reporters.
“Playing for India, especially in a ground like MCG on a big occasion like Boxing Day Test against Australia, we’ll do no matter what it takes for us to be in good position,” he added.
Washington Sundar hails Nitish Kumar Reddy
When asked about Nitish Kumar Reddy’s knock, Washington Sundar expressed his happiness for the wonderful century which was his maiden Test hundred. He claimed that this knock will be remembered for a long time.
“Very happy for Nitish (Kumar Reddy). Got an unbelievable hundred honestly. I am sure this will be remembered forever,” Washington Sundar noted.
“Gauti bhai and entire support staff kept believing in me and telling me what I’m capable of, especially in Test format. That means a lot to me. It make me believe I can do special things for Indian team,” he added.
Nitish Kumar Reddy smashed his maiden Test hundred with a fine knock under pressure. It was also his maiden international century across formats. He made his Test debut in this series and has played all the matches since.
Reddy came in to bat when India had lost the big wicket of Rishabh Pant. Australia were sensing an opportunity to bowl India out soon but Reddy had other ideas. He stitched a brief partnership with Ravindra Jadeja before the latter was dismissed.
Excellent partnership takes India to a safer position
At this point, Washington Sundar joined Nitish Kumar Reddy in the middle. Both the batters soaked in the pressure brilliantly and showed tremendous temperament to take the game forward.
While Reddy was more enterprising, Sundar was steady and bided his time. Sundar played a perfect foil to Reddy as both the batters started frustrating the Australian bowlers. The partnership kept on growing and the Indian contingent at the MCG raised its voice as well.
Both of them formed a magnificent partnership of 127 runs for the eighth wicket to take India to a much safer position. Sundar was finally dismissed for a patient 50 off 162 balls by Nathan Lyon but Reddy carried on and completed a memorable hundred on a huge occasion.
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