Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik questioned Washington Sundar’s role after India suffered a 30-run loss in the opening Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. India was skittled out for only 93 runs in the run-chase of 124 on the third day of the Test match.
Meanwhile, India played with four spinners and Washington Sundar bowled a solitary over throughout the match. Sundar was promoted to number three after Sai Sudharsan was dropped from the playing XI. The left-hander did a good job for the team at one down, returning with scores of 29 and 31 on a difficult pitch.
“Where is Washington Sundar, the Test player being looked at? Is he a bowler who can bat? Now if you are sending him at three, you are almost telling him that he needs to focus a lot more on batting. The moment he starts spending those long hours for batting in practice, you tend to reduce your practice for bowling because it is physically impossible to be good at both. So the message is very straightforward that we are looking at big runs from you. This could affect his bowling in the long run. It is a very tricky one,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, former South African captain and fast bowler Shaun Pollock praised Washington Sundar for showing the right application. The former swing fast bowler said Sundar must be given a longer run at number three.
Pollock said, “Application is the right word. I think he will still work out his game plan how he wants to pace is innings at three, when he wants to be positive or aggressive. But he deserves a run. So you keep him in that position, give him another four-five Test matches and see how he goes. If things dont pan out well then you can maybe look to make a change. I always felt that he was underutilized. They probably could have had a look at him a bit more. But as far as the batting goes, nothing wrong with his application. He will work out more as he goes along.”
Pollock said the mindset of Indian batters should be positive on turning pitches like the Eden Gardens.
“I think on that surface the mindset had to be where can we score from time to time, how can we look to be positive. I thought the intensity went through the roof when Jadeja got to the crease. Pant probably wasn’t there for long enough. Where are those old Indian batters who on certain conditions, even though its difficult, found ways of dominating? You think of VVS Laxman, when he played that innings here against Australia. What’s happening with these chases now?,” he said.
India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.
