'You set yourself up, don't you?': Jos Butler on how Washington Sundar's words fired up England at Lord's

Washington Sundar’s confidence-filled statement post-Day 4 of the Lord’s Test did not age well as India ended up on the losing side. Resuming proceedings at 58/4, Team India lost its way on the morning of Day 5 and ultimately the innings plunged at 170, losing the game by 22 runs. Following the culmination of the third Test, England’s white-ball specialist, Jos Butler, has put solemn light on the words disseminated by Sundar, and offered a humbling lesson to the Indian all-rounder.

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Butler didn’t let Sundar’s comment slide

While England had gained momentum by picking four wickets in the final session of Day 4, the situation still favoured India as six wickets were still in hand and only 135 more runs were needed. Having faith in his teammates and himself, Sundar with firm belief and without an iota of a doubt assured fans that, “Definitely India winning, probably just after lunch.”

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However, as cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, the words spoken by Sundar did not come true. Rather, it backfired, according to Butler.

As per Jos, Washington’s statement might have fired up England, who went on to corner India on Day 5 and eventually picked up the win.

“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,” Buttler said on For The Love Of Cricket podcast.

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Sundar’s words further haunted him as he went without scoring in the second innings.

“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 came forward to say, come on. Let’s ramp it up for this guy,” he added.