Washington Sundar’s crucial strike turns momentum as India claw back into the 3rd Test; Twitter erupts
In one of the most defining moments of the ongoing 3rd Test match between India and England at Lord’s, Washington Sundar cleaned up Joe Root, England’s batting linchpin, to swing the momentum dramatically in India’s favour. The dismissal — a beautiful delivery that sneaked under Root’s attempted sweep — came just as Root and Ben Stokes were steering England to a strong position. The wicket ignited wild celebrations on the field and set Twitter abuzz with praise for the young off-spinner. Sundar cleans up Root
The Sundar cleans up Root moment was not only a tactical masterstroke by skipper Shubman Gill but also a reminder of Sundar’s growing stature in India’s Test setup. Sundar cleans up Root
⚔️ A Match on a Knife’s Edge
The 3rd Test at Lord’s has been a thrilling battle of attrition. Both teams had scored exactly 387 runs in their respective first innings, leaving the Test finely poised heading into the final two days. England, batting second, needed to build a lead — and quickly. After early hiccups in their second innings, Joe Root and Ben Stokes steadied the ship with a critical 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Sundar cleans up Root
It was during this delicate phase of the game that Gill turned to Washington Sundar — and the spinner responded brilliantly. Sundar cleans up Root
🎯 Sundar’s Magic Delivery
Introduced in the 39th over, Sundar took only three overs to deliver the breakthrough. Bowling from over the wicket, he floated a ball around leg and middle stump. Root attempted a sweep — one of his most trusted shots — but misread the length. The ball dipped, skidded on, and snuck under his bat and gloves, crashing into the leg stump. Sundar cleans up Root
Root, who had looked solid until then, was left stunned. The Indian team exploded in celebration — fists pumped, hugs exchanged, and a roar echoing through the Lord’s crowd. It was a moment of pure Test match theatre, and Twitter wasted no time reacting. Sundar cleans up Root
💻 Twitter Reacts: “That’s the Ball Game!”
Cricket fans, pundits, and ex-cricketers turned to social media to praise Sundar’s delivery and the timing of the breakthrough. Sundar cleans up Root
🐦 “Washington Sundar, you beauty! Gets Joe Root with an absolute gem. Lord’s comes alive!” – Harsha Bhogle
🐦 “That’s a championship-level delivery from Sundar. Smart captaincy by Gill. India right back in this!” – Aakash Chopra
🐦 “You don’t get Joe Root out like that every day. That ball deserves a place in highlight reels forever.” – Michael Vaughan
Some fans dubbed it the “ball of the match,” while others praised Sundar’s growing consistency in Test cricket — especially his ability to take key wickets under pressure.
🧠 Captain Gill’s Tactical Brilliance
Sundar’s inclusion in the playing XI raised eyebrows before the match. But Shubman Gill’s decision to trust him during one of the match’s most crucial phases showed growing maturity in his leadership.
Gill’s captaincy move worked perfectly. Root and Stokes were starting to look comfortable, and the momentum was slowly shifting toward England. Recognizing the importance of breaking the stand before it ballooned out of control, Gill tossed the ball to Sundar — a bowler known for flight, control, and subtle variations.
The reward came swiftly, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
🔥 The Importance of Root’s Wicket
Joe Root is not just another wicket. Arguably England’s most technically sound and mentally resilient batter in the current Test setup, Root was England’s highest scorer in the first innings with 104. His wicket in the second innings was crucial, especially given the match’s finely balanced state. Sundar cleans up Root
By removing Root, India derailed England’s progress and ensured they couldn’t pull away with a big lead before the final innings. The psychological impact of losing their best batter was visible on England’s dressing room balcony and among the crowd at Lord’s. Sundar cleans up Root
— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578) July 13, 2025
🌱 Sundar’s Growing Influence
Washington Sundar has had a quiet but impactful Test career so far. Known for his composure and all-round capabilities, he announced himself in the longest format during India’s historic Brisbane win in 2021. Since then, he has evolved as a dependable bowling option in middle overs, especially on surfaces offering variable bounce or aiding turn.
At Lord’s — not traditionally friendly to spinners — Sundar displayed poise, accuracy, and excellent game sense. His subtle variations and consistent length forced mistakes, and the dismissal of Root could well be the moment that defines his career as a Test spinner. Sundar cleans up Root
🧢 India’s Spirit and Fight
Despite being hit by setbacks — including Rishabh Pant’s injury and KL Rahul’s run-out — India have fought back in this Test with resilience. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, KL Rahul’s elegant century, and Pant’s aggressive 74 ensured India matched England’s total of 387.
Sundar’s strike only added to India’s list of individual heroes in this Test — each playing a part in keeping the team in the contest. Sundar cleans up Root
🔮 What Lies Ahead?
At the close of Day 4, England were just over 150 runs ahead with five wickets down. The pitch has started to show signs of variable bounce and the Indian spinners — Sundar and Jadeja — are expected to play a pivotal role on Day 5.
If India can wrap up the tail early, a chase of around 200 could be on the cards — a tough but not impossible ask at Lord’s. Either way, Sundar’s dismissal of Root has ensured the final day will be watched with bated breath by millions. Sundar cleans up Root
📝 Final Word: “Expect the Unexpected”
Just like Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar is a player who can create magic out of nowhere. The ball that cleaned up Root wasn’t just about skill — it was about courage, timing, and reading the moment.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Sundar’s breakthrough may prove to be the turning point. And if India do go on to win this Test and take the lead in the series, Root’s dismissal might just be the moment everyone remembers. Sundar cleans up Root
📢 Stay tuned for Day 5 drama from Lord’s — will India pull off a famous win? Or can England’s tail wag one last time? Either way, Test cricket wins again.
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