Revealed: How Chennai-Born All-Rounder Came To Be Called 'Washington' Sundar

India vs Australia: Washington Sundar's Test debut has been a great one so far. In his very first match, the spin all-rounder got the big wicket of Steve Smith, the most prominent batsman of the Australian team. Smith scored 36 and was dismissed by Sundar. With this, Smith became Washington's first-ever Test wicket.

Washington Sundar. Pic Courtesy: @Sundarwashi5 / Twitter

India vs Australia: All-rounder Washington Sundar today became the 301st cricketer to play for India when was picked in India's Playing XI for India vs Australia Brisbane Test. There has always been a mystery about Sundar's unique name. Fans often think how the name of the American city of Washington was added to this player's name.

For those who don't know, Sundar had nothing to do with America, nor did his parents live there. But his father M Sundar gave him this unique name. The story behind this is quite emotional. Father M Sundar's love for 'Washington' comes from Washington Sundar's godfather, called PD Washington.

Washington Sundar's father M Sundar also wanted to become a cricketer. He was very talented. Close to his home lived PD Washington, who had a keen interest in cricket. Washington saw M Sundar's passion for becoming a cricketer and came forward to help him.

M Sundar's financial condition was not good. Seeing this, retired army officer PD Washington decided to help him. He bought uniforms for him, got him shoes and even paid his school fees. He would sometimes sit on a bicycle and leave M Sundar to the ground.

Unfortunately, PD Washington died in the year 1999. Some years after his sad demise, a boy was born to M Sundar. M Sundar then named his son Washington Sundar in memory of his godfather. The same Washington Sundar has become the 301st cricketer to play for India. Now it is just a coincidence that in a city of Maryland, Washington DC, the phone code is 301.

Washington Sundar's Test debut has been a great one so far. In his very first match, the spin all-rounder got the big wicket of Steve Smith, the most prominent batsman of the Australian team. Smith scored 36 and was dismissed by Sundar. With this, Smith became Washington's first-ever Test wicket.

Washington Sundar has established himself as a reliable all-rounder. He first started his cricket career in 2016 by playing for Tamil Nadu. The surprising thing is that in 2014 he was playing in the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the age of just 15, after which he came into the limelight. Washington was the third player to make the youngest debut in the IPL, before Sarfraz Khan and Pradeep Sangwan made their debut.