Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a fresh debate by questioning India's decision to drop Sai Sudharsan for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India decided to play Washington Sundar at No. 3 on a turning Eden Gardens pitch, hoping his all-round skills would help. But the plan fell apart as India suffered an embarrassing 30-run defeat on November 16.
Sai Sudharsan had done a decent job at No. 3 against England and the West Indies. But in the first test against South Africa, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill surprised everyone by leaving him out and going with four spinners at Eden Gardens.
Ravichandran Ashwin says Sai Sudharsan's omission could hurt India's futureRavichandran Ashwin expressed concern about how a young player like Sudharsan might feel after being suddenly left out, especially when he had started well. The former Indian all-rounder further shed light on the team's confusing move over Sundar, who scored 29 and 31 but barely bowled.