Overview
- India omitted Sai Sudharsan for the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata and promoted Washington Sundar to first drop.
- Selectors opted for an uncommon four-spinner XI at Eden Gardens, bringing in Axar Patel and rebalancing the side.
- Aakash Chopra criticized the decision as lacking clear conviction in selection planning.
- Sai Sudharsan’s Test returns at No. 3 stand at 273 runs in five matches at 30.33 with two fifties, a sample many argue warrants more patience.
- Reports note India have cycled through multiple options at No. 3 since the 2023 WTC final, with Sundar the latest trial in the role.