Sai Sudharsan Dropped, Sparks Criticism
Sai Sudharsan’s exclusion from India’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens has triggered strong reactions from fans and experts. The young batter, who scored a solid 87 in his last Test against the West Indies, was replaced by Washington Sundar as India opted for four spinners. Many questioned the decision, especially since Sudharsan had shown promise in his brief Test career, averaging just over 30 in five matches.
The move has raised concerns about the lack of consistency in India’s selection process.
Aakash Chopra Slams Team Management
Former India opener Aakash Chopra criticized the team management for what he called a “musical chairs” approach. He argued that players like Sudharsan are not given enough time to settle into their roles before being dropped. Chopra said, “You cannot pass a verdict like ‘doesn’t get prepared’ and then show the player the door.” He emphasized that such decisions can hurt the confidence of young talents and disrupt team stability.
His comments reflect growing frustration over India’s revolving door selection strategy.
Spin-Heavy Strategy Raises Eyebrows
India’s decision to field four spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar—has also come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the team sacrificed batting depth for spin options, especially on a pitch that may not offer sharp turn early on. Sudharsan’s exclusion is seen as part of a broader trend where all-rounders are preferred over specialist batters, even when recent performances suggest otherwise.
As the Test series unfolds, the pressure is on the management to justify their choices and deliver results.