I was scrolling through my cricket feed last week when a notification popped up. Washington Sundar had just scored another vital fifty. It got me thinking about that one innings. The one that still stings a little. The one where he got so close, yet so far.
For a player who started as a net bowler on a tour to Australia, Sundar's batting has quietly become one of the most reliable aspects of his game. Everyone talks about his off-spin.
I want to talk about his batting. Specifically, the Washington Sundar highest score in Test cricket. That number is 96 not out. But the story behind it is what makes it worth telling.
The Day Sundar Got Stranded on 96
Ahmedabad. March 2021. The fourth Test against England.
India had already won the series. But this match was about more than just pride. It was about qualifying for the World Test Championship final. India needed a win or a draw.
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England batted first. They managed only 205. India's reply started solidly. Then came the collapse. Middle order crumbled. Lower order followed. Except for one man.
Washington Sundar walked in at number seven. He watched wickets fall around him. But he did not panic. He built partnerships. First with Rishabh Pant. Then with Axar Patel. Two century stands. The kind of partnerships that change games.
Sundar was batting beautifully. Driving through the covers. Working singles. Rotating strike. He looked calm. He looked settled. He looked like he was heading for his maiden Test century.
Then the tailenders arrived. And they could not hang around.
The Tailenders Who Let Him Down
Sundar was on 96. India needed just five more runs for him to reach his hundred. Five runs. One boundary. A couple of twos. Anything.
But the wickets kept falling. Mohammed Siraj came in. Out. Jasprit Bumrah came in. Out. Ishant Sharma walked out. He lasted a few deliveries. Then he edged one behind. India were all out for 365.
Sundar was left stranded. Not out. On 96. He had run out of partners.
His father was watching from the stands. He was not happy. He told reporters later that he was disappointed. He felt the tailenders should have shown more responsibility.
Sundar himself took it in stride. He laughed about it later. But you could tell it hurt. Getting that close to a hundred and not getting there? That stays with you.
The Numbers Behind the Knock
Sundar faced 161 deliveries in that innings. He hit 10 fours and one six. His strike rate was just under 60. Not flashy. But effective.
That innings was not just about runs. It was about temperament. India were in trouble when he walked in. He steadied the ship. He took the attack to the England bowlers. He showed maturity beyond his 21 years.
The India England cricket match scorecard from that Test shows India won by an innings and 25 runs. Sundar's 96 was the cornerstone of that victory. Without it, India might not have made the WTC final.
What Makes Sundar's Batting Effective?
Sundar is not the most stylish batsman. He does not hit massive sixes. He does not play outrageous shots. He is solid. Dependable. Boring, even.
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And that is exactly what makes him effective.
He plays late. He uses soft hands. He deflects the ball into gaps rather than trying to smash it. He rotates strike. He builds partnerships. He does not try to be the hero. He just tries to be there.
In Test cricket, that is a superpower.
His defensive technique is compact. His footwork against spin is tidy. He has a good understanding of his off stump. He does not flash outside the off. He makes the bowlers bowl to him.
The Broader Cricket Context
The series against England in 2021 was a turning point for Indian cricket. India lost the first Test. Then they came back. They won the next three. They qualified for the WTC final.
Sundar was a big part of that comeback. He scored runs. He took wickets. He showed he belonged.
Since then, his career has had ups and downs. Injuries have kept him out. Selection has been inconsistent. But he keeps coming back. He keeps performing.
In October 2024, he took 7 wickets for 59 runs against New Zealand. A reminder that his bowling is just as dangerous as his batting.
Who Should Watch Sundar's Batting?
Best for:
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Young cricketers who want to learn how to build an innings
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Fans who appreciate proper Test match batting
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Anyone who loves a good comeback story
Not for:
The T20 Context
While Sundar's Test batting is impressive, his T20 game is different. He bats lower down the order. He plays more aggressively. He has a T20I highest score of 50.
The recent India vs England T20 series showed how the team uses him. India won the 4th T20I by 15 runs. Shivam Dube was player of the match. Sundar contributed with the ball. He did not get much batting time. But his role is clear. He is a bowling all-rounder who can bat.
If you are searching for India vs England 4th T20 match live updates, you already know the score. India won. They took an unassailable 3-1 lead.
My Personal Take
I remember watching that 96 live. I was on my couch, yelling at the TV. "Just give him the strike! Just one more over!" It was agonizing. Every time a wicket fell, my heart sank a little more.
When Ishant got out, I threw my hands up. Sundar was stranded. The hundred was gone. But that innings stuck with me. Not because of the runs. Because of the fight.
Sundar did not give up. He did not throw his wicket away. He kept battling. Even as his partners crumbled around him. That is the mark of a true cricketer.
The Final Thoughts
Washington Sundar's highest Test score is 96 not out. It came against England in Ahmedabad in 2021. He has since scored a century, making his highest score 101 not out. But that 96 remains his most memorable innings. Because of what it meant. Because of how close he came. Because of the heartbreak.
If you are a cricket fan, watch that innings. Watch how he constructs his innings. Watch how he handles pressure. Watch how he stays calm when everything is falling apart.
That is the real lesson. Not the runs. The resilience.
