Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has expressed confidence by assuring fans about his team's fighting spirit as they navigate the difficulties of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. By the end of Day 2, India was trailing Australia by 310 runs, standing at 164 for 5, with only five wickets remaining.
Sundar, who is expected to take on the responsibility of batting at No. 8, emphasized the opportunity before him as he noted, "Isn't it amazing the team wants me to do really well in all three aspects of the game? That's a great opportunity for me." This sentiment came amid his acknowledgment of the challenging situation the team finds itself facing.
Earlier on Day 2, Australia had set the pace for the match by putting up 474 runs thanks to spectacular performances by their batsmen, particularly Steve Smith, who scored 140 runs, and captain Pat Cummins, who added 49 runs. On the Indian side, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 99 runs.
Despite having been pegged back by losing quick wickets, the Indians had shown promise, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli stitching together 102 runs for the fourth wicket after initial setbacks. Unfortunately, both got out rapidly one after the other, triggering what Sundar was trying to comprehend as the match's turning point.
Following what could be termed as dire circumstances, Sundar maintained his optimism, stating, "We were in a great position to get big runs, but we will still come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning. The energy is very good in the dressing room; we are all positive. There’s still plenty of time left, three days and many overs to play. It's about us trying to fight really hard and get things done for the team."This perspective resonates with the grimness of the current match situation as they prepare for Day 3.
The pitch, which Sundar indicated was initially soft due to overcast conditions, has begun to reveal its true character. He commented on the improvement, asserting, "The wicket won’t change much, so it will be exciting couple of days," which could afford India the opportunity to build on their innings if they can build solid partnerships.
Apart from his immediate challenges, Sundar reflected on the influence and guidance he has received from veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has contributed his knowledge and experience over multiple tours of Australia. "Preparation is always there, no matter if I am playing or not. I’ve been having conversations about Ash, especially about the conditions here. His experience is invaluable; he has come here multiple times. This was his fifth tour with the red ball," he remarked.
The narrative around this Test match continues to evolve, and all eyes now turn to Sundar’s performance on Day 3, as he, along with the lower-order, aim to chisel away at the steep deficit and fundamentally redefine the match's direction. The Indian squad's resolve remains imperative, and Sundar knows the importance of making every run count as the team seeks to mitigate the harsh realities imposed by their Australian counterparts.
With every second counting, one cannot help but feel the wave of anticipation. Will Sundar's fightback alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy be enough to shift momentum back to India? Or will the Australian bowlers continue to crush the spirit of the Indian batting line-up? Day 3 promises to be packed with action as India continues to battle the odds.
