Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh slammed the Indian team management for dropping Sai Sudharsan in the opening Test match against South Africa. India is playing with four spinners in the team at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Sudharsan scored a decent knock of 87 runs in the first innings against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Furthermore, Sudharsan also scored 39 runs in the second innings. 

Dodda Ganesh wrote on X, “The no 3 in the batting lineup is the most important slot in a test XI & India is playing musical chairs without a vision. Can’t believe this is happening at the test level.”

Ganesh said the team doesn’t need four spinners irrespective of the pitch.

“Should’ve given Sai Sudharsan these tests. U don’t need 4 spinners no matter how much turn the pitch offers,” he added.

As per the team’s sheet, Washington Sundar is slated to bat at one down at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Furthermore, former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra also questioned the team’s decision to drop Sai Sudharsan.

The selectors have backed Sai Sudharsan at number three after the England tour but his exclusion against the Proteas is surprising. 

Speaking at the toss, Shubman Gill said, “These two test matches for us are very crucial and we’re as hungry as ever. Looks like a good surface. It’s going to be a good surface for the first day or a couple of days. And then, hopefully, we’ll get some turn as the game goes on. Rishabh comes back in place of Reddy since we last played. And Axar is also back in the side.”

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj