Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Washington Sundar Promoted to No. 3 in India's Test Squad
Imagine a cricket team is trying to find the best spot for a player named Washington.
Usually, he bats lower down the order, but he thinks he's good enough to bat higher up, like at number 3.
The team's coach, Gautam Gambhir, has decided to give Washington a chance there for an important game.
This means another player, Sai Sudharsan, who was batting at number 3, has to move.
The team has been trying many different players at number 3 because they haven't found someone who can consistently score runs there since a player named Pujara left.
Playing Washington at number 3 might also let the team pick an extra bowler who spins the ball, like Kuldeep Yadav.
However, the team needs to be patient with Washington and give him time to prove himself in this new role, even if he doesn't score many runs right away.
The coach believes players need chances to settle in, but the team has sometimes been quick to change players.
Washington Sundar has been promoted to the No. 3 batting position for the first Test against South Africa.
This move by coach Gautam Gambhir potentially sacrifices a specialist batter and is seen as a gamble to stabilize the No. 3 spot.
Sai Sudharsan, who previously occupied the No. 3 position, has been replaced, despite having scored decent runs in previous matches.
The selectors have struggled to find a consistent replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3 since his departure.
Promoting Washington Sundar might allow the team to include an extra spinner like Kuldeep Yadav and test Sundar's temperament in a key batting position.
- Who
- India's team management, Gautam Gambhir, Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan
- What
- Washington Sundar has been promoted to the No. 3 batting position in the opening Test against South Africa, a move that suggests a continued search for stability at that spot.
- When
- During the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens.
- Where
- Eden Gardens, India (referring to the Test match location).
- Why
- To potentially accommodate an extra spinner, utilize Washington Sundar's batting abilities, and address the team's struggle to find a consistent No. 3 batter since Cheteshwar Pujara's departure.
Team Management's Decision
Player's Perspective
Role of Washington Sundar
Team Management's Decision
The team management promoted Washington Sundar to the No. 3 batting position, potentially to accommodate Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI without sacrificing batting depth, and to utilize his batting heroics from previous tours.
Player's Perspective
Washington Sundar considers himself a 'top-order batter' and has shown readiness to take on the challenge at No. 3.
Player Selection Strategy
Team Management's Decision
The selectors have struggled to find a consistent No. 3 batter since Cheteshwar Pujara's departure, having experimented with various players including Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Devdutt Padikkal. The current move is seen as a gamble to address this instability.
Player's Perspective
Gautam Gambhir believes in giving players a longer run, though his actions sometimes contradict this philosophy. Sai Sudharsan, despite decent performances, hasn't been given enough time to settle in the role.
Patience with Players
Team Management's Decision
The management needs to show patience with Washington Sundar if he is to be tested and potentially settle into the No. 3 role, allowing the team the cushion of an extra spinner.
Player's Perspective
Despite showing promise in patches, Sai Sudharsan hasn't been given the opportunity to settle down at No. 3, suggesting a lack of patience from the think-tank.
- Player Promoted
- Washington Sundar
- New Batting Position
- No. 3
- Previous No. 3 Batters Experimented
- Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal
- Player Sidelined
- Sai Sudharsan
- Reason for Experimentation
- Difficulty finding a stable replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara; potentially to accommodate Kuldeep Yadav
- Key All-rounder's Batting Ambition
- Considered himself a top-order batter
- Notable Past Performance
- 101 not out in Manchester, England
