Washington Sundar's 4-wicket haul, fifty seal India's 300-run rout of Afghanistan
Synopsis
Washington Sundar's return to red-ball cricket could not have gone better — a composed unbeaten 52 followed by a four-wicket burst sealed India's innings-and-300-run demolition of Afghanistan inside three days. The performance raises a pointed question for selectors: can an off-spinning all-rounder in this kind of form be left out of India's next Test assignment?
Key Takeaways
India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur , concluding on 8 June .
Washington Sundar took four wickets in Afghanistan's second innings to trigger the collapse.
Sundar also scored an unbeaten 52 as India declared at 564 for 8 in their first innings.
The match ended inside three days , reflecting the wide gap in Test experience between the two sides.
Sundar cited pitch awareness — bowling full and close to the stumps on a slow surface — as the key to his bowling success.
Washington Sundar delivered a match-defining all-round performance as India crushed Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at the New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur, with the match wrapping up inside three days on Monday, 8 June. The 26-year-old off-spinning all-rounder claimed four wickets in Afghanistan's second innings and struck an unbeaten 52 in India's first innings, cementing his standing as a genuine red-ball asset for the side.
Sundar's Spell That Broke Afghanistan
Sundar's bowling on the final morning proved the decisive blow in dismantling Afghanistan's resistance. Operating on a surface that was slowing down, the off-spinner said his priority was precision over pace. 'I didn't really think about the pace as such. I was just working on getting my rhythm right. Especially yesterday I was bowling really well. The way the ball was coming out of my hand, I was really pleased with it,' he said after the match.
His reading of the pitch was equally sharp. Recognising that a good or back-of-length delivery gave Afghan batters time to manoeuvre on the back foot, Sundar consciously attacked the stumps with fuller lengths. 'I wanted to be as close to the stumps as possible... this wicket is a little slow,' he explained.
Returning to Red-Ball After a T20 Grind
Sundar's selection came after an extended stretch of non-stop T20 cricket, making his seamless transition to the longest format all the more notable. He said finding his rhythm from the very first ball was the most satisfying aspect of the outing.
'I felt really good, especially to play this format after a while. I just wanted to get a lot of volume coming into the game and I felt like I was getting the rhythm right from the scratch, from ball one. And that was definitely a very good feeling,' Sundar said.
Batting Discipline Adds to India's Imposing Total
India declared their first innings at 564 for 8, a total that placed the match beyond Afghanistan's reach from the outset. Sundar walked in during the latter stages of that innings and remained unbeaten on 52, showcasing the kind of lower-order solidity that Test teams prize. 'I wanted to show good discipline with the bat and glad the way I sort of approached the entire innings,' he said, describing the knock as equally pleasing to his bowling performance.
DRS Usage and Team Learning
India's bowlers were involved in several unsuccessful reviews during the match. Sundar was philosophical about the outcomes, framing DRS as a tool that relies on instinct and experience rather than certainty. 'It's part and parcel of the game. We just try and go with our experiences in the past and obviously what our gut says at that point of time. You've got to use the technology to the best,' he said.
What This Performance Signals
The result — India's comprehensive victory inside three days — underlines the gulf in Test experience between the two sides, but Sundar's display will draw attention for its own merit. This is the kind of red-ball form that could strengthen his case for future Test assignments. With India's Test calendar growing more demanding, a reliable off-spinning all-rounder who can bat deep is an asset selectors will not overlook.
Point of View
Built on length discipline rather than turn, suggests he has matured beyond the promising tag. The harder question is whether a one-off Test against Afghanistan is enough of a sample to push him back into the reckoning for tougher assignments abroad, where the real measure of any Indian spinner lies.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test at Mullanpur?
India won by an innings and 300 runs at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, with the match concluding on 8 June inside three days. India declared at 564 for 8 in their only innings, leaving Afghanistan with an insurmountable deficit.
How did Washington Sundar perform in the one-off Test?
Washington Sundar scored an unbeaten 52 in India's first innings and claimed four wickets in Afghanistan's second innings. His all-round contribution was widely seen as the decisive factor in India's comprehensive win.
Why was Sundar's return to red-ball cricket considered significant?
Sundar had been playing non-stop T20 cricket before this Test and returned to the longest format after a gap. His ability to find bowling rhythm from the very first ball and show batting discipline made the performance particularly notable for selectors.
What was Sundar's bowling strategy on the Mullanpur pitch?
Recognising that the surface was slow, Sundar focused on bowling full and close to the stumps rather than adjusting his pace. He said this approach denied Afghan batters the time to manoeuvre on the back foot, which was key to his four-wicket haul.
What is the significance of India winning inside three days?
Completing the match inside three days underlines the large gap in Test experience between India and Afghanistan. It also gave Indian players like Sundar a concentrated opportunity to showcase red-ball skills ahead of a demanding Test calendar.
