While the spotlight shone on Shubman Gill’s twin centuries and India’s dominant victory at Fortress Edgbaston, it was Washington Sundar who quietly anchored the team’s performance with crucial contributions in both innings. The young all-rounder, known for his calm temperament and gritty approach, proved once again why he's such a valuable asset in the longest format of the game.

With the bat, Sundar chipped in with vital lower-order runs, helping India recover from mini-collapses and stretch the lead. With the ball, his control and flight challenged the English middle order, providing breakthroughs when it mattered most. His ability to maintain pressure, build dots, and break partnerships made a telling difference, especially on a surface that didn't offer much spin.

As India eyes the third Test, the selectors now face a "happy headache": how to balance an already stacked XI with Sundar’s irreplaceable flexibility. Though not always in the headlines, Washington Sundar is fast becoming the dependable backbone of India’s red-ball ambitions.