Here is the story behind Washington Sundar’s unique name

Before the second Test Anderson-Tendulkar Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Indian spinner Washington Sundar's spot in the starting lineup was questioned. However, Sundar's performance disproved all of the doubters and restored the team management's faith.

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In Sunday's second innings of the Lord's Test, India restricted England to 192 runs thanks to a vital four-wicket haul from Sundar, who was clinical with the ball.

Sundar turned the game in India's favour after shattering the dangerous-looking pair of Ben Stokes and Joe Root.  Sundar dismissed Root before clean bowling Stokes and Jamie Smith.  He subsequently ended England's innings by dismissing the final man, Shoaib Bashir.  All four of his dismissals came via clean bowled.

Story of where Sundar gets his name, Washington.

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A touching story of thankfulness inspires Sundar's name. On Day 4, India's hero was given an uncommon name by his father as an homage to his benefactor. This is from when the Indian all-rounder's father was trying to get into the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy team.

During his difficult times, his father Sundar received assistance from his elderly neighbor, a retired Army officer who enjoyed sports. He was PD Washington, who had taken a special interest in him while seeing him play on the Marina grounds.

Sundar came from a modest family, so Washington would aid him by purchasing him cricket gear and ensuring he received a proper education while growing up.

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“He came to see me play and would always encourage me. Because I came from a humble background, he ensured that I didn’t miss out on cricket and bought me the whites and helped in whatever way he could. He was so fond of cricket that he wanted me to pursue my dream,” Sundar had said.

In 1999, Washington passed away. A few months later, Sundar's wife gave birth to a baby boy after a difficult delivery.

“My wife had a difficult delivery. But the baby survived. As per Hindu custom, I whispered a God’s name, ‘Srinivasan,’ in his ear. But I decided to name him Washington in memory of the man who had done so much for me,” he would recall.

Washington Sundar has played 11 Tests, 23 ODIs, and 54 T20Is for India. He has 30, 24, and 48 wickets, respectively. He has also made 545 Test, 329 ODI, and 193 T20I runs.

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