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“In my opinion, no…”: Pujara questions India’s call to push Sundar to number 3

Poulomi Chakraborty

Pujara speaks about Washington Sundar's no. 3 position (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @cheteshwar1/x.com)Pujara speaks about Washington Sundar's no. 3 position (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @cheteshwar1/x.com)

After some white-ball action, the gripping red-ball contest is back on Indian soil as Team India is facing South Africa in the first Test of the two-match Test series. After a sensational series win against the West Indies, Team India is eyeing another series win at home.

As Team India came to bat in the first innings, Washington Sundar joined KL Rahul as a number 3 batter after Jaiswal’s dismissal. The surprising move sparked instant debate, and former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara also offered a blunt assessment of the decision.

Pujara voices his take on Washington stepping up at one-down

After South Africa ended their first innings on 159 runs, Team India came to bat as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul came to open the innings. After Jaiswal walked away, scoring only 12, the Indian fans remained stunned as Washington Sundar came as the number 3 batter. After Sai Sudharsan was dropped from the playing XI, Washington’s new role sparked buzz.

As the move created a mixed reaction, Team India’s former most promising number 3 batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, shared his take on that. Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara questioned the move outright, saying he sees no valid reason for Washington Sundar to be promoted to the crucial one-down position.

“Can Washington Sundar be a permanent number three? In my opinion, no. If you are playing him as a fourth spinner who can bat at number three, then that’s a wrong decision. He bowled just one over in the first innings. Would he be needed as a bowler in the second innings? The answer is no for that as well,” he said.

Sundar makes a handy 29 after a no. 3 promotion

Coming to bat at the end of day 1, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings, but the Men in Blue lost an early wicket as Jaiswal walked away having scored only 12 runs in 27 balls. Joining KL Rahul at the number 3 position, Washington Sundar tackled the new ball and went unbeaten at the end of the day.

Coming to day 2, Sundar started well, but in the 35th over, Simon Harmer dismissed him, and Sundar walked away scoring 29 runs in 82 balls with two boundaries and one over-boundary. Soon after, KL Rahul departed for 39, leaving India suddenly wobbling at 109 for 3 despite a promising start.