Despite playing a key role in India’s historic win at the Gabba on his Test debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, Washington Sundar didn’t receive the consistent backing he would have liked until Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach last year.

Nine of Sundar’s 13 Test matches have come under Gambhir since October 2024, and the Tamil Nadu all-rounder had a big part to play during the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The 25-year-old played four of the five Tests on the tour of England, where he racked up 284 runs including his maiden hundred while also claiming seven wickets.

In an interview with Wisden, Sundar lauded the leadership of Gambhir, whom he idolised during his formative IPL years.

“He also had No. 5 on the back of his jersey (like me). And obviously he was a left hander, who was extremely elegant. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was bowling to him in the IPL. He was someone who was super successful against me but he is an amazing human being. He has had so much faith in all of us that we would fight at all times and win the game. Really glad to see him happy at the end of the series,” Sundar said.

Washington Sundar was exceptional in India's great escape against England alongside veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Day 5 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

The duo shared an unbroken 203-run stand, smashing unbeaten centuries to end England's hope for a win. Sundar slammed his maiden Test ton in the process, scoring 101* runs off 206 balls with nine boundaries and a six.

He also picked up a couple of scalps as the Shubman Gill-led side saved the Test to enforce a series-decider at the Oval, where the visitors emerged victorious by a narrow margin of six runs to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2.

Sundar attributed India’s impressive display in the series to the sound communication relayed between coach Gambhir, skipper Gill and the rest of the squad.

“Credit to them for having such a calm dressing room throughout the series. Their communication was precise and clear on what was expected. Both of them have a lot of belief in their players and that really helps in the bigger picture,” he remarked.