The untold story behind Washington Sundar's unique name

You must’ve wondered at some point - how did Washington Sundar, who comes from a Hindu family, end up with the name Washington? There’s a beautiful story behind it, one that very few people know. This isn’t just a story about a name. It’s about gratitude, legacy, and the quiet sacrifices that never make it to the limelight.

Sundar’s father, a passionate cricketer himself, had dreams of wearing the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy cap. But he came from a modest background, full of ambition, but lacking the means to chase it.

Then came an unexpected twist in the story. An ex-army officer, who also happened to be their neighbour, entered the picture. He was deeply impressed by Sundar’s father’s talent. Being a sports enthusiast himself, he stepped in to support him. He went so far as to buy cricket gear for him and even ensured he got a good education growing up.

His name? PD Washington. A man with no obligation, no relation, but with a heart big enough to lift someone else’s dreams. For Sundar’s father, PD Washington wasn’t just a mentor; he was a silent guardian.

Sadly, PD Washington passed away in 1999. And just a few months later, Sundar was born. Since they belonged to a Hindu family, Sundar’s father initially whispered the name “Srinivasan” into the baby’s ear, as is tradition. But then he paused, and felt his son should carry the name of the man who had done so much for him.

And so, as a mark of everlasting gratitude, the baby was named Washington. Now, just think how heartwarming this story is. Every time Sundar does something special with the bat or ball, there’s one name lighting up the scoreboard and the headlines: Washington.

And every single time, it becomes a tribute to the man who, had he not existed, might have kept India from discovering one of its cricketing gems.