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Sudharsan for Sundar and...? Strategic changes India nees to make for 2nd Test vs South Africa

Harsh Adwani

Strategic changes India needs to make for 2nd Test vs South Africa [Source: @muffadal_vohra/@x.com]Strategic changes India needs to make for 2nd Test vs South Africa [Source: @muffadal_vohra/@x.com]

The first match of the ongoing series between India and South Africa did not turn out as the hosts had hoped. India failed to chase down 124 runs in the fourth innings and lost the match by 30 runs. They faced a few issues in the game, especially with their batting order, and would look to rectify that going forward.

Now, as the action moves from Kolkata to Guwahati, India will have to reflect on their strategies from the Kolkata Test. Let’s look at what changes India could make in their team and approach to save the series.

Change in their batting approach

In the final innings of the first Test match, India were in a hurry to chase down the target. It almost seemed like it was day 5’s final session, but in reality, it was only day 3. Some of the shots that they played were not according to the situation.

Dhruv Jurel gave away his wicket while attempting a rash shot, Rishabh Pant was trying too much too early on, and even Axar Patel had the momentum when he was attacking Keshav Maharaj. He had already hit a four and two sixes in that over, but he went for another big shot and gave away his wicket.

They had all the time in the world and could have approached the situation a bit better. It wouldn’t have mattered if they had taken 14 or 15 or even more overs to complete the chase. All they had to do was wait it out and try and tackle the challenging conditions. They will have to take into account the match situation and the time left and play according to it in the next match.

Fewer Spin Options

India entered the match with four spin options in Kolkata; however, they did not utilise all of them to full effect. While Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel did the heavy lifting with the ball, Washington Sundar bowled a solitary over in the entire match.

This was despite the pitch offering assistance to the spinners, which suggests Sundar was purely in the team as the number three batter. India can do without the extra spinner in the Playing XI. And even though Sundar was among the few batters who showed some resistance, India might have to look for another option in the team, which brings us to our next point.

Specialist batter for number three

India have two great batting options waiting in the wings who can be great fits for the number three in Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. While Washington Sundar did a decent job of resisting the South African attack, a specialist batter will always be a better fit for that crucial spot.

Sundar would be a much better fit lower down the order, where he will have more freedom to play his stroke-making game and build partnerships. But if India are to go only with three spinners and make space for Sundar lower down the order, they will have to bench Axar Patel, which seems very unlikely.

As for the choice between Sudharsan and Padikkal, the former might get the nod from the management. He has had a few chances in the team, and though he had a tough time in England, he showed some promise in the home conditions against the West Indies. It is essential for the management to give him a little longer rope as the team goes through the transition process.

Shubman Gill’s replacement

Shubman Gill’s availability for the second match has not been confirmed yet. The Indian captain’s presence in the team brings about a lot of stability in the top order. And if he is not available, the Indian team will have a huge gap to fill.

If not available, Sai Sudharsan’s selection almost becomes a certainty, and if they also drop Sundar, Padikkal can also get a chance in the team. And there is Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been recalled to the squad for the second match. Sudharsan and Reddy will likely get a chance in the XI if their skipper is unavailable. This combination will provide them stability at the top, batting depth, as well as a sixth bowling option.