Sundar’s Batting Position Questioned by Ganguly
Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly recently expressed his views on Washington Sundar’s suitability for the No. 3 batting position in Test cricket. After Sundar scored 29 and 31 in tough conditions during the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India unfortunately lost the match by 30 runs, putting them down 0-1 in the three-match series.
Ganguly, who is also the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), noted that batting at No. 3 in challenging conditions such as those in South Africa, England, Australia, or New Zealand can be quite demanding. He emphasized the importance of having specialized batters in the top five positions of the batting order.
“Washington Sundar has had a great run lately. He is an excellent cricketer, both as a bowler and a batsman,” Ganguly said in a recent interview. “However, I’m not fully convinced that No. 3 is the right spot for him in Test cricket over the long term.”
According to Ganguly, the team needs to ensure that the top five batters, including openers and the No. 3, 4, and 5 positions, are specialists who can deliver consistently in various conditions. He suggested that this is something Gautam Gambhir, the coach, must take into account when making selections.
Four Spinners Not Needed in Test Matches
Additionally, Ganguly commented on India’s decision to field four spinners in their Test eleven on home turf. Although Sundar contributed runs, he bowled just one over during the match. Instead, the team primarily relied on Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel for spin bowling.
“There’s no need for four spinners in India, especially when Washi only bowled one over. If the pitch supports spin and main bowlers can handle 20-30 overs, then having four spinners isn’t necessary. This is something that needs to be considered,” he added.
After the disappointing loss in Kolkata, India is set to regroup and try to bounce back in the second Test, which will commence on November 22 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
