Explained: Why India have replaced Sudharsan with Washington Sundar at 3 in 1st Test vs SA

Sai Sudharsan with India - (Source: AFP)

On Friday, November 14, India locked horns against South Africa in the first of a two-match Test series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Temba Bavuma-led side won the toss and opted to bat first in the city of joy.

Both teams went ahead with big changes for the curtain raiser as the Proteas were without Kagiso Rabada and Dewald Brevis, while India benched their star batter Sai Sudharsan.

The internet went berserk as soon as India's playing XI for the first Test went public, as fans were upset to see Sai missing out. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on why Team India went ahead without Sudharsan and who has replaced him for the first Test.

Why is Sai Sudharsan not playing the first Test vs South Africa?

It is worth noting that Sai Sudharsan is not facing any injury concerns, but it is purely a tactical decision from the management. Notably, with Sai's exclusion, it allows India to make several changes in the playing XI. 

1. Play four spinners

With Sai's exclusion, Washington Sundar has been promoted up the order and will bat at No.3 for India. With that, it allows Axar Patel to return to the Test side after a long time. Now with Axar back in the helm after a year, India have opted for four spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. 

It wouldn't have been possible with Sai Sudharsan still in the playing XI. Further, it is worth noting that it is for the first time since 2012 that India have opted for four spinners in a Test match.

2. Fit in both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant

Prior to the series, India faced a happy headache that their two prominent keeper-batters - Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant were in form and it seemed difficult to fit in both. Pant's return was unavoidable, and Jurel's form was hard to ignore.

Notably, during the recently concluded India A vs South Africa A series, Jurel smashed two consecutive unbeaten centuries, which is why the management decided to include both Pant and Jurel in the playing XI, and Sudharsan had to pay the price.

Also, if we look at Sudharsan and Jurel's recent form, then Jurel is doing better and deserves a place in the XI than Sai. Talking about Sai, the southpaw, who scored just 84 runs in four innings during the India A vs South Africa A series and amassed 133 runs in three innings vs West Indies.

3. Sundar has outshined Sai Sudharsan

For the unversed, who are terming Washington Sundar's inclusion at No. 3 as gamble, are wrong because Sundar has actually outshone Sai's numbers in red-ball cricket. If we look at Sai's stats, then he has played nine innings and averages 30.33, whereas Sundar averages 44.25 despite playing 25 innings. 

Now, if India is getting an extra space to include a bowlewer by placing Sundar at No.3, who has done well with the bat, then it can be considered as a great move. Also, Sundar has proved his mettle with the bat in the past as his historic knock in Gabba during 2020-21 tour is a testament of his potential.

Let's look at Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar's Test stats

Another reason behind Sai's exclusion is to have more all-rounders in the team. There is no hiding that Gambhir loves to have all-rounders in the team, and if we look at the playing XI for the first Test, then there are three proper all-rounders and also Yashasvi Jaiswal, who can bowl if needed.

Final verdict

The decision is not out and out bad as there is a thought and logic behind it. Since, it is quite early in the new WTC cycle, the two-times runners-up can experiment with their playing XI. With four spinners, three all-rounders, it looks like a balanced team, who can trouble Proteas at the Eden Gardens.

Further, the playing XI also does justice to Dhruv Jurel, who has been consistent in his performance down the order and also deserves a place in the line-up. Further, placing Washingston Sundar at No.3 is not a gamble, rather a great strategy because he has done well with the bat and infact outshone the premeir batter Sai Sudharsan in batting average. 

---

ALSO READ

Kagiso Rabada ruled out; Gill brings Axar for Sudharsan as SA opt to bat in Kolkata Test vs IND

---