A big discussion related to the Guwahati Test has come to light between India and South Africa. According to the available information, Team India’s first innings once again faltered and due to this, former captain and former head coach Ravi Shastri has made a sharp comment on the team’s batting strategy.
Let us tell you that for some time now, India has been continuously experimenting with the number-3 position. In the first Test, everyone was surprised by Washington Sundar being suddenly sent to this place. In the second match, with the return of Sai Sudarshan, he was again sent to number-3 and Sundar was directly dropped to number-8. It is noteworthy that this change did not give much benefit and Team India was reduced to only 201 runs in the first innings, while South Africa took a strong lead of 489 runs.
Ravi Shastri said in the commentary of Star Network that the team’s thinking does not seem clear at all. He said, “This decision is incomprehensible. When this series ends, the team management itself will be surprised to see these selections. In Kolkata, you played four spinners and one of them bowled only one over, when at that time an extra batsman was needed. Here also you sent Washington at number-3 in the last match and now suddenly you have dropped him at number-8, even though he bats better than this.”
However, amid so many changes, Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav together tried to take control of the team by adding 72 crucial runs for the eighth wicket. When India had lost seven wickets at 122, both of them made a good partnership and took the score beyond 200. Sundar scored 48 runs in 92 balls, while Kuldeep played a fighting inning of 19 runs in 134 balls.
For South Africa, Marco Johnson bowled brilliantly and took 6 wickets, while Simon Harmer also increased India’s problems by taking 3 wickets.
The current situation shows that many questions are being raised regarding the batting order and selection of the Indian team and it is going to be necessary to review these decisions in the coming days.