Fourth Test: Sundar Remains Hopeful of a Comeback
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Melbourne, Dec 27 (NationPress) Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar is maintaining his optimism for a comeback even though India finds itself in a tough spot at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With India trailing by 310 runs and having lost five wickets, Sundar believes there remains significant time in the Test match for the visitors to recover.
The second day of the fourth Test at the MCG saw India facing difficulties as Australia tightened their hold on the match. After scoring a formidable 474 in their first innings, Australia left India in a precarious position at 164/5 by stumps, with the visitors looking at a steep deficit.
“We are determined to come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning,” Sundar stated during the press conference. “The energy in the dressing room is quite positive, and we believe there is a lot of time left in the game. It's about us putting in a strong effort to get things done for the team.”
Starting their innings at 311/6, Australia added another 163 runs on the second day. Steve Smith showcased his brilliance with a score of 140, while captain Pat Cummins contributed a solid 49 to elevate the total to a daunting 474.
India’s bowlers, spearheaded by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, fought hard but struggled to penetrate through the depth of Australia’s batting lineup. Sundar, who stepped in for Shubman Gill in the playing XI, managed to take crucial wickets and delivered controlled spells, though the massive total set a significant challenge for India’s batting order.
India's reply got off to a rocky start. Captain Rohit Sharma, returning to the top order, fell early for just 3 runs, continuing his streak of underwhelming performances. KL Rahul, batting at No. 3, appeared to be in good form until a stunning delivery resulted in Cummins claiming his second wicket.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli offered a glimmer of hope with a solid partnership of 102 runs. Jaiswal looked in magnificent form, scoring 82 before a miscommunication with Kohli led to his unfortunate run-out. This dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as Kohli edged a delivery from Scott Boland for 36, with nightwatchman Akash Deep going out for a duck.
From 153/2, India fell to 164/5, leaving Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja to attempt a rescue mission on Day 3.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Sundar pointed out some positives, including the MCG pitch, which he believes will remain favorable for batting over the next two days.
“The pitch was a bit soft yesterday since the sun didn’t shine all day. However, after the first hour today, the pitch began to play better, and we batted well,” Sundar noted. “In the next couple of days, I believe it will be good for batting. It promises to be an exciting few days ahead.”
Sundar, who has the responsibility of filling significant shoes in this Test, welcomed the challenge with enthusiasm. The 25-year-old sees the team's expectations as an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities in a high-stakes environment.
“Isn’t it wonderful that the team is counting on me to excel in all three facets of the game?” Sundar remarked with a smile. “For me, it’s crucial to contribute to the team’s needs, regardless of the situation I find myself in. It’s all about being present, injecting the right energy, and delivering for the team.”
Sundar acknowledged his former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin for the guidance he received in adapting to Australian conditions. Ashwin, who retired following the third game at the Gabba, provided Sundar with invaluable insights on succeeding in spin-unfriendly settings.
“Certainly, I’ve had extensive discussions with Ashwin, especially regarding how conditions behave in Australia,” Sundar disclosed. “He shared a wealth of insights from his experiences here. We had several conversations even before this tour. Having someone of his caliber to provide guidance has definitely been beneficial for me.”
