India all-rounder Washington Sundar's bold and over-smart statement before Day five of the Lord's Test against England backfired very badly as the visitors suffered a 22-run loss. The Southpaw boldly claimed that India would win the Test before the lunch session.
Giving an interview on Sky Sports, the off-spinner was optimistic that India would win easily without breaking any sweat in the first session itself. “Definitely India winning tomorrow, probably in the first session,” he said.
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However, the southpaw's claim backfired badly as the visitors lost four wickets in the first session itself, giving the hosts a massive advantage. To make things worse, Sundar was also dismissed for a duck. Before the all-rounder came to bat, the cameras panned towards head coach Brendon McCullum, who gestured his players to show aggressive intent towards the batter after his statement.
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Sundar's comments played a key role in motivating England: Buttler
Jos Buttler decoded Washington Sundar's comments and felt it played a massive role in motivating Ben Stokes & Co.
“Has he actually said that? Washington Sundar's interview where he says about, you know, when India wins tomorrow when we go 2-1 up. And I thought I wonder if he's just sort of, you know, got his words out wrong, you know, hopefully, we'll win. But it was the proper, you know, incredible confidence. Yeah, we're going to win. And it's always one of those moments where you're like, you don't miss a thing, do you, in this day and age? Someone will have heard about that in the dressing room. It's almost like instead of anyone having to say anything this morning for England you could have just played that interview and that would have got people so fired up,” he said while speaking on a YouTube show.
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“There's a little clip of when Washington came out to bat and McCullum over the balcony sort of you know telling everyone to raise it, it's the guy who's been chirping.
“You set yourself up, don't you? It's horrible. But, you're like, no, everyone's all over me. I could have just come out here and tried to, you know, have a good game and try my best. But now everyone knows what I've said in the media last night, and this is going to be, everyone's after me. Even McCullum, who's possibly the only time he didn't have his feet up. He's leant forward to say, come on. Let's ramp it up for this guy,” he added.
Sundar came to the crease when India lost the wicket of KL Rahul. The southpaw was also promoted ahead of all-rounder Nitish Reddy. However, all Sundar could do was just last four balls, as he dismissed for a duck by offering a return catch to Archer. India was reduced to 82/7 handing hosts massive advantage.
