AUS v IND 2020-21: India's 301st Test player Washington Sundar shares cap number with area calling code of Washington

Sundar was handed cap number 301 by veteran off-spinner R Ashwin.

By Salman Anjum - 15 Jan, 2021

India spinner Washington Sundar on Friday (January 15) became the 301st cricketer to represent the country in the longest format of the game.

Interestingly, he shares his Test cap number with the telephone area code of Maryland, a part of the Greater Washington DC.

Team India handed Test caps to left-arm pacer T Natarajan and Sundar in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Gabba.

See Also: T Natarajan becomes first Indian to make all-format debut in the same series

Natarajan was given cap number 300 by bowling coach Bharat Arun ahead of the toss in Brisbane.

BCCI took to Twitter and posted videos of both players receiving their caps.

According to a report published in ANI, Sundar's father M Sundar - a former Ranji probable - had a godfather named PD Washington, who resided just two streets away from his home. He was a keen follower of cricket and liked to watch M Sundar's game.

Knowing the unstable financial condition of M Sundar, PD Washington used to buy him uniforms, pay his school fees, and also used to drop him to the ground in his cycle.

Unfortunately, PD Washington died in 1999. In the same year, M Sundar's first son took birth and he decided to name his son after the late godfather.

Coming to the match, Washington Sundar dismissed Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith for 36 to claim his maiden Test wicket on Day 1 at the Gabba.

Opting to bat first, Australia rode on Marnus Labuschagne’s 108 to post 274/5 at stumps on Day 1. Natarajan claimed a couple of wickets for the visitors.

(With ANI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 15 Jan, 2021

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