During the fifth Test between India and England, Washington Sundar's aggressive batting display, particularly his four sixes, became a talking point, evoking strong reactions, most notably from former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Shastri interpreted Sundar's performance as a response to an earlier comment made by England's Harry Brook during the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford.

In the fourth Test, Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja resisted England captain Ben Stokes' proposal to end the match early and accept a draw. At that time, Brook reportedly said, "If you wanted a hundred, you should have batted like that earlier". Shastri viewed Brook's comment as distasteful, considering Sundar and Jadeja were battling to save the Test. Both Sundar and Jadeja went on to score centuries before agreeing to a draw.

Ravi Shastri felt that Sundar hadn't forgotten Brook's words. On the third day of the fifth Test at The Oval, Sundar unleashed a rapid 39-ball fifty, punctuated by four towering sixes. When Sundar arrived at the crease, he initially played cautiously, scoring 17 off 27 balls. However, with his partners running out, he shifted gears. His first six came off Gus Atkinson, lofting the ball over mid-wicket. In the subsequent over, he hit two more sixes off Josh Tongue's short deliveries. Shastri saw this as Sundar making a statement to those who doubted his abilities against short-pitched bowling.

Earlier in the series, during the fourth Test in Manchester, Ravi Shastri had criticized Shubman Gill's decision to delay using Washington Sundar. Despite Sundar's previous four-wicket haul at Lord's, Gill introduced him late into the attack, a move Shastri described as a "clear misjudgment". Shastri questioned the message it sent to Sundar, suggesting he should have been utilized earlier in the innings. He also pointed out other tactical errors, such as giving Anshul Kamboj the new ball instead of Mohammed Siraj.

Adding another layer to the Sundar-Brook dynamic, a video circulated showing Sundar seemingly "cold-shouldering" Brook after the fourth Test. After India secured a draw, Brook offered Sundar a handshake, but Sundar appeared to ignore it. Later, after reaching his century, Sundar finally shook hands with the England players, concluding the Test in a draw.

Meanwhile, in the fifth Test, Harry Brook himself grabbed attention with a shot reminiscent of Rishabh Pant. Facing Mohammed Siraj, Brook executed a sweep shot, losing his balance but still managing to clear the boundary for a six. This prompted Ravi Shastri to remark, "Typical Harry Brook".