Dinesh Karthik questions India’s no.3 conundrum after series loss against South Africa

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik questioned India’s number three woes after 2-0 series loss against South Africa. India was humbled by 408 against the Proteas at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday.

While Washington Sundar batted at one drop in the opening Test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Sai Sudharsan batted at one down in the second game of the series.

Sundar returned with scores of 29 and 31 on a difficult track in Kolkata, Sudharsan returned with scores of 14 and 15 in Guwahati. Karthik highlighted that in 65 Test matches of the World Test Championship, India’s number three batter has been averaging 26, which is the second worst among all teams.

Dinesh Karthik said in a video on Instagram, “In the World Test Championship cycle, out of the 65 Test matches that have been played, India’s No. 3 holds the 2nd worst record in the first innings of a Test match, averaging 26. That is something for us to ponder about. Who is our No. 3? How much stability are we going to give him? Washington plays at No. 3 in Calcutta. Sai Sudarshan is playing at No. 3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping Team India, or do we need to give more stability and consistency? What is the answer?”

Karthik highlighted that India’s all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled only 14 overs in the two Test matches against South Africa and expressed his surprise over India’s downfall in Test cricket.

“But what is lacking? Is it the quality of players? Their inability to play spin? Pacers and spinners being out bowled in India. One too many all-rounders being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated all-rounder, pace all-rounder has bowled 14 overs across a whole domestic calendar season in Test cricket in India. India has just 2 players who have scored 100 runs in this Test series. South Africa had 7. I mean, come on, we are better than that for sure. How can suddenly there be a nose dive in Test cricket.”

On the other hand, the former gloveman added that India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final are minimal in this cycle.

“It almost feels like, in this World Test Championship cycle, India have very minimal chances. 2 away games against Sri Lanka, 2 away games against New Zealand, and 5 Tests against Australia at home. But the next Test match is after 7 months. Are we going to forget this? Are we just going to move on, saying, okay, that’s a fresh season? By then, so much of white-ball cricket would have happened, and I am sure India is so good at that. Will we tend to overlook what’s happening in Test cricket right now? That’s the big question for us to ponder. Think, what does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were?”

India will next take on Sri Lanka in a two-match away Test series in August 2026.