In a surprising tactical move that caught cricket enthusiasts off guard, Team India made a significant batting order change by promoting Washington Sundar to the crucial number three position while dropping Sai Sudharsan for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
Unexpected Team Selection Shakes Up Batting Order
The Indian team management's decision to exclude Sai Sudharsan from the playing eleven raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike. Sudharsan, who made his Test debut in England back in June, has experienced an inconsistent run in the national side, with his most recent appearance coming during the home series against West Indies where he impressed with an 87-run knock in the second Test's first innings.
With Sudharsan missing from the lineup, India opted for a spin-heavy attack featuring four specialist tweakers - Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Notably, three of these players qualify as genuine all-rounders, providing depth to both batting and bowling departments.
Sundar's New Role in the Batting Lineup
The exclusion of Sudharsan paved the way for Washington Sundar's promotion up the batting order. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder will now walk out to bat at number three, following openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. This marks the first time in Sundar's Test career that he will bat inside the top four, representing a significant vote of confidence from the team management.
Sundar's elevation appears justified given his recent performances in the longest format. The left-hander scored his maiden Test hundred on English soil earlier this year while batting at number five. Additionally, he has demonstrated his batting capabilities with impressive unbeaten knocks of 85 and 96 while occupying the seventh and eighth positions respectively.
Gavaskar Explains the Strategic Thinking
While cricket analysts were deciphering India's unexpected move, legendary former captain Sunil Gavaskar provided crucial insight into the team's thinking during his commentary. The batting great highlighted two key factors behind the decision.
"Dhruv Jurel with his current form is undroppable," Gavaskar stated emphatically during the broadcast. He further elaborated on the left-handed batsman strategy, noting "Washington Sundar, I think brings the left-hander angle. Sai Sudharsan at no.3 was a left hander. So in place of him, Washington Sundar will bat at no.3."
This explanation underscores India's apparent desire to maintain a left-right batting combination early in their innings, potentially to disrupt the South African bowlers' rhythm and line.
Toss and Team Compositions
Indian captain Shubman Gill's luck with the coin toss continued to disappoint as his South African counterpart Temba Bavuma elected to bat first after winning the toss. The decision came on a hard and dry surface at Eden Gardens that traditionally favors batsmen initially but tends to deteriorate as the match progresses.
Both teams made significant changes to their lineups. South Africa suffered a major blow with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada missing the match due to a rib injury. Meanwhile, India welcomed back Rishabh Pant and included Axar Patel, replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy and the dropped Sai Sudharsan respectively.
The complete playing elevens for the historic encounter are:
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
The team selection and batting order reshuffle demonstrate India's flexible approach to Test cricket, willing to make bold decisions to gain strategic advantages. All eyes will now be on Washington Sundar to justify his promotion and on India's four-pronged spin attack to exploit the Kolkata conditions against a South African lineup that has traditionally struggled against quality spin bowling.
