Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian off-spinner, questioned the exclusion of Sai Sudharsan from the first Test XI against South Africa. The team management’s decision to promote Washington Sundar to No. 3, capitalising on his all-round abilities for the Eden Gardens surface, did not pay off. The tactical approach by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill ultimately fell short as India succumbed to a 30-run defeat.

Sai Sudharsan earned the No. 3 spot during the England tour after Shubman Gill moved to No. 4 to replace Virat Kohli. He showed promise with a composed fifty against the West Indies. But in Kolkata, Gambhir returned to his bold tactics, picking four spinners and promoting Washington Sundar to No. 3. Ashwin was unhappy with Sudharsan’s omission, warning that such choices can shake a young player’s confidence and questioning how the move affected India’s overall balance and dressing-room atmosphere.

“I’m genuinely concerned for Sai Sudharsan as he’s a talented player. What must be going through his mind after being dropped? Personally, I think having four spinners in the team is excessive. Washington Sundar didn’t even bowl in the second innings. You select four spinners and then don’t give one of them a single over. Such decisions definitely affect the confidence of the players,” R Ashwin said.

While Sundar made useful contributions with the bat, scoring 29 and 31 at No. 3, his bowling was limited to just one over in the match. Ashwin also pointed out that clarity and stability are vital in Test cricket, cautioning that India’s strategy in Kolkata could have repercussions for their World Test Championship campaign.

“I understand that in T20Is, the focus tends to be on all-rounders, but in Tests, specialists are key. To build stability and avoid insecurity, it’s essential to assign clear roles. These are vital points in the World Test Championship, and India want to reach the final. Gill himself mentioned at the toss that they were aiming for a direct entry. But we still have reach there, and the first Test was a significant setback in that pursuit.”