England got fired up by Washington Sundar’s cockiness believes Jos Buttler: ‘McCullum over the balcony…’

Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. (Image: Reuters)

In a thrilling match at Lord's, India lost by 22 runs, making Washington Sundar's audacious assertion ahead of Day 5 a little too soon. It appeared to be India's game until the last innings of the tumultuous third Test match. However, during their 193-run chase, the visitors top order experienced a rare hiccup that ultimately gave England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

“Definitely India winning tomorrow, probably in the first session,” Sundar had said when he was interviewed by Sky Sports after Day 4. Sundar had boldly predicted that India win the match within the first session itself. But then the opposite happened, with India losing the opening session after failing to rally and wickets continuing to fall.

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In his analysis of Sundar's assertion, Jos Buttler noted a unique move by head coach Brendon McCullum and believed it was crucial in inspiring England for Day 5.

“Has he actually said that? Washington Sundar's interview where he says about, you know, when India win tomorrow, when we go 2-1 up. And I thought, I wonder if he's just sort of, you know, got his words out wrong, you know, hopefully we'll win. But it was the proper, you know, incredible confidence. Yeah, we're going to win. And it's always one of those moments where you're like, you don't miss a thing, do you, in this day and age? Someone will have heard about that in the dressing room. It's almost like instead of anyone having to say anything this morning for England you could have just played that interview and that would have got people so fired up,” he said, while speaking on a YouTube show.

“There's a little clip of when Washington came out to bat and McCullum over the balcony sort of you know telling everyone to raise it, it's the guy who's been chirping."

“You set yourself up, don't you? It's horrible. But you're like, no, everyone's all over me. I could have just come out here and tried to, you know, have a good game and try my best. But now everyone knows that what I've said in the media last night, and this is going to be, everyone's after me. Even McCullum, who's possibly the only time he didn't have his feet up. He's leant forward to say, come on. Let's ramp it up for this guy,” he added.

Sundar walked in at a crucial juncture, with India desperately needing a partnership alongside Ravindra Jadeja. However, the all-rounder fell for a four-ball duck by Jofra Archer, leaving India reeling at 82/7. Jadeja fought a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 181 deliveries, but the limited resistance from tailenders Jasprit Bumrah (5 off 54) and Mohammed Siraj (4 off 30) wasn’t enough to turn the tide.