Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif took a subtle dig at the Gautam Gambhir-led team management during the ongoing first Test against South Africa. Kaif expressed surprise over young batter Sai Sudharsan’s exclusion from the playing XI despite his impressive performances against the West Indies.
India surprised many by fielding an unusual XI for the first Test. They picked four spinners and promoted Washington Sundar to No. 3 in place of Sai Sudharsan. Most expected the team to retain the core combination used against the West Indies, with Rishabh Pant’s return being the only anticipated change.
Shubman Gill also brought back Axar Patel for his first Test appearance since early 2024. The decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, who are unsure about India’s long-term plans for the crucial No. 3 position. Questions continue to mount over the team management’s approach to the top order.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioned India’s selection approach over Sai Sudharsan’s exclusion. Kaif stated that dropping a young performer sends mixed messages and could create uncertainty within the dressing room.
"The decision to drop 24-year-old Sai Sudarshan after his 87 in the last Test is puzzling. We were told Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain because of his age now the team management shows no patience with a youngster. Confusing signals are not good for the dressing room," Kaif wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The decision to drop 24-year-old Sai Sudarshan after his 87 in the last Test is puzzling. We were told Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain because of his age now the team management shows no patience with a youngster. Confusing signals are not good for the dressing room.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 14, 2025Specialist Players in Specialist Position Should Be - Hanuma Vihari
Veteran batter Hanuma Vihari said that the management is obsessed with all-rounders. He pointed out that all-rounders may work in limited-overs cricket but not in the longer format. Vihari also questioned the need to field four spinners even on turning tracks.
"Never believed 4 spinners are required even on rank turners. Specialist players ln specialist position should be the case in test cricket. All rounders are fancy. White ball suits them," Hanuma Vihari posted on X.
Never believed 4 spinners are required even on rank turners .Specialist players ln specialist position should be the case in test cricket.All rounders are fancy. White ball suits them.
— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) November 14, 2025Sudharsan scored a career-best 87 in the first innings of his last Test appearance against the West Indies in Delhi. The left-handed batter added a valuable 39 in the run chase. He has scored 273 runs in five Tests at an average of 30.33, including two half-centuries.
Washington Sundar Bowled Just One Over in South Africa’s First Innings
India decided to field four spinners in the first Test against South Africa. The hosts bowled out the visitors for just 159 runs. Skipper Shubman Gill used 29 overs of spin. Kuldeep Yadav (14 overs) bowled the most, while Washington Sundar bowled only one.
India last used a four-spinner combination during the Nagpur Test against England in 2012. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, and Ravindra Jadeja played on a turning surface.
Ishant Sharma was the lone specialist pacer in the lineup, and the match ended in a draw. England went on to secure a historic 2-1 series win. Over a decade later, India have once again turned to spin depth.
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