India vs England 4th Test, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester, Washington Sundar etched his name in Indian Test history by scoring his maiden Test century – an unbeaten 101 runs off 206 balls – during a crucial moment in the 4th Test match of the India tour of England 2025. His remarkable effort not only marked a personal milestone but also played a pivotal role in saving the match for India, ensuring the series stayed alive.
Match Context: Under Pressure from the Start
India were staring at defeat after conceding a massive first-innings lead. England had piled up 669 runs in response to India’s 358. In the second innings, India were rocked early at 0 for 2, losing both openers in the very first over.
But the team showed resilience — and at the heart of it were KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, who stitched together a monumental stand that helped India escape with a draw.
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Washington Sundar’s Innings: A Century of Grit and Grace
Sundar’s Final Score:
101 runs* off 206 balls
- 9 Fours
- 1 Six
- Strike Rate: 49.03
Washington Sundar came to bat when India were still under pressure, and he slowly built his innings. What made it special was his ability to absorb pressure, rotate the strike, and punish loose deliveries.
“He brought up his century with a flick through mid-wicket and raised his arms in joy as the Indian dressing room erupted.”
Match-Saving Partnership with Jadeja
The most important phase of his knock was the unbeaten 203-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who also scored a century (107* off 185 balls). Together, they batted for over 50 overs and took India from a position of vulnerability to safety.
5th Wicket Partnership Details:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Sundar | 101* | 206 | 9 | 1 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 107* | 185 | 13 | 1 |
| Partnership Runs | 203 | 332 | 22 | 2 |
Sundar’s Test Career Progression
| Format | Matches | Runs | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 8 | 479 | 1 | 5 | 101 vs ENG (2025)* |
- This was Washington Sundar’s first Test century, and it came outside India, against one of the strongest bowling attacks.
- His previous best was 96* vs England (2021), where he was left stranded without partners.
Old Trafford Heroics: Breaking the Pattern
- With this knock, Sundar helped India preserve their unbeaten streak at Old Trafford when bowling second.
- No team has ever won a Test at Old Trafford after choosing to bowl first, and India continued the tradition — thanks to Sundar and Jadeja.
Reactions & Praise
- Cricket experts like Dinesh Karthik and Michael Vaughan hailed Sundar’s temperament.
- Fans and players celebrated his knock as a “coming-of-age moment” for the Tamil Nadu all-rounder.
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Significance of the Innings
- Saved the Match: India were behind by 311 runs. Sundar’s knock ensured England didn’t get a chance to chase on Day 5.
- Broke a Personal Barrier: He finally converted his promise into a hundred after multiple close calls in the past.
- Solidified India’s Middle Order: With the series on the line, Sundar showed he could be relied upon in crunch moments.
Final Match Summary
| Team | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 669 | – | Match Drawn |
| India | 358 | 425/4 |
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The 5th and final Test of the series is now set to be a series decider, thanks to the incredible effort by India’s middle order. Washington Sundar’s maiden century will be remembered as one of the defining knocks in the series and a landmark moment in his career.
Washington Sundar’s 101* is not just a statistic — it’s a story of grit, growth, and glorious redemptio. In the high-pressure atmosphere of a Test match away from home, the young all-rounder proved that he’s made for the big stage. And now, all eyes are on what he delivers next.
