The morning before the first Test against South Africa, Shubman Gill casually noted that the final place in the XI was “between a specialist spinner and an all-rounder”. For a minute plenty of us feared the worst: was Kuldeep Yadav really in danger again, despite turning matches on home pitches and despite India already batting down to No. 8?
Those doubts lingered right up until the toss. Then Gill confirmed what few had predicted: India have squeezed both options in. Kuldeep keeps his place and Washington Sundar, listed as an all-rounder, comes in as a top-order batter. Axar Patel joins Ravindra Jadeja to give India four frontline spinners, supported by two quicks and a keeper.
Sanjay Bangar, on commentary duty, could not hide his surprise. “The team selection continues to surprise me,” he said, before adding, “Disappointed to see Sai Sudharsan not part of the XI.” Bangar is not alone in that last thought. Sudharsan, only seven Tests into his career, was pencilled in as India’s new No. 3 in England. He made 87 in his most recent innings and, more importantly, owns the dressing-room’s respect for knuckling down in tough conditions. Yet he is out for this match, with no indication of injury.
Why the sudden switch? Privately, coaches have long rated Washington’s batting. He is a crisp timer against pace and, crucially for Indian conditions, a calculated operator against spin. Moving him up the order lets the selectors load the back half of the card with bowlers while still keeping a deep batting list—Axar at nine averages 35.88 in first-class cricket, handy insurance if Washington falters.
It is a gamble, yes, but not entirely outlandish. England toyed with similar flexibility in their Bazball reboot; India have the resources to try it at home where, historically, three spinners are plenty. A fourth gives Rohit Sharma more cover if one is off-colour or conditions change session by session, as they often do from November onwards.
Kuldeep’s inclusion is the clearest sign that India want wickets, not merely control. When pitches break up, his left-arm wrist-spin offers a different angle from Jadeja’s orthodox darts and Axar’s bounce. If South Africa’s right-handers settle, Kuldeep can attack footmarks outside off stump; if they sweep, they risk top-edged miscues to the in-ring fielders.
The personal stakes are equally high. Sudharsan’s average of 30.33 is unspectacular but, given he has batted in English seaming conditions and at home on turning tracks, the sample is hardly definitive. Sitting out will hurt, though. India’s calendar is crowded and memories can be short when replacement options pile up. Devdutt Padikkal waits in the squad, and Sarfaraz Khan keeps scoring truckloads in the Ranji Trophy.
From the South African angle, Dean Elgar may not mind seeing an extra spinner. He has grown up on quick tracks and will back his batters to sweep, reverse-sweep and ride any variable bounce. Temba Bavuma’s men also know that, if they can push India’s new-look top order early, four spinners could translate into a long, sapping day in the field should the track flatten.
India, for their part, believe the upside outweighs the risk. If Washington genuinely nails down a top-six slot, the side can travel abroad with three seamers and still play two specialist tweakers without lengthening the tail. That sort of balance proved decisive in Australia in 2021; management want it to become the norm rather than the exception.
Tests, though, have a habit of cutting through theory. Each of the four spinners will bowl around 15-20 overs a day if India field first. Washington, probably batting at No. 3, might walk in before lunch on day one. There will be nowhere to hide.
Still, that is the point of experimentation: find out now, at home, what can stick before stiffer away tours. India’s selection has eyebrows raised, but it is not reckless. It is, instead, a calculated step towards greater flexibility—one taken with enough experience in reserve to soften any immediate blow. Whether it sparks a “bold new era” or is quietly shelved after one Test, we will know soon enough.
