When India faced SA in the first Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Vernon Philander was taken aback by the fact that they had up to four spin-bowling options. With just two fast bowlers in their bowling attack—Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj—the former South African seamer questioned India’s strategy.
Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel were selected as the team’s all-rounders, while Kuldeep Yadav was designated as the team’s speciality spinner.
“In home conditions, I think it’s a little excessive to play four spinners. You should ask yourself, “Is a fourth spinner truly deserving of selection if three will not be sufficient?” According to Philander on ESPNcricinfo.
With Temba Bavuma winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India knocked SA out for just 159, despite the playing XI being a little out of balance.
Siraj and Kuldeep each took two wickets, but Bumrah stole the show with a five-for. Jadeja and Sundar went wicketless, although Axar contributed one scalp as well.
Vernon Philander is a steadfast favourite among positional playing specialists.
Philander also blasted the Indian team’s management for selecting Sundar to play at number three and omitting specialist batsman Sai Sudharsan from the lineup. In India’s last red-ball match against the West Indies, the Tamil Nadu batsman made an impression. During the second Test in Delhi, he scored 87 and 39.
“Playing specialists in a position is something I really enjoy. For India, that third-place ranking is huge and significant. “Yes, he is good with the bat, but what kind of message are you sending to the specialist No. 3 batter in that position if you are going to pick an all-rounder in that position,” Philander stated (via the aforementioned source).
On Day 1, after losing the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal, India reached 37/1 at Stumps. On Saturday, KL Rahul (13*) and Sundar (6*) will start their next innings.
India
