'It is a very tricky one...': Dinesh Karthik feels Washington Sundar's elevation in batting order will affect his bowling

India all-rounder Washington Sundar was elevated up the batting order for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa. But, this move didn't end up going as planned and the left-hand batter was only able to score a total of 60 runs in two innings as the Proteas won the opening Test at the Eden Gardens. With the team management using him as a proper batter at No.3, Sundar hasn't been able to contribute much with the ball and only bowled a single over throughout the Test.

Karthik warns Team India about Sundar's role

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik is completely against the idea of Sundar batting at No.3 and warned the team management about their decision regarding his role. He remarked that the all-rounder's bowling quality may decline if he continues to spend long hours practicing with the bat.

“Where is Washington Sundar the Test player, being looked at? Is he a bowler who can bat? Now if you are sending him at three, you are almost telling him that he needs to focus a lot more on batting. The moment he starts spending those long hours for batting in practice, you tend to reduce your practice for bowling because it is physically impossible to be good at both," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

“So the message is very straightforward that we are looking at big runs from you. This could affect his bowling in the long run. It is a very tricky one,” he added.

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Sundar had replaced Sai Sudharsan as India's No.3 batter for the Kolkata Test against South Africa. Though the former has been a solid batter for the Men in Blue in the format as of recent, the No.3 spot is not only a completely new role for him, but is also generally a spot that is reserved for the best batters present in the team. It remains to be seen if Sundar continues to bat at the same position in the second Test that will commence from November 22 in Guwahati.

South Africa scripts famous win

Meanwhile, the pitch at Eden Gardens proved to be a nightmare for batters from both teams as the bowlers completely dominated. After being handed a modest target of 124, India looked to be the favourites to win, but South Africa made an incredible comeback and bundled out the hosts for only 93 to win the game by a 30-run margin. This was the Proteas' first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years and it saw them take a valuable 1-0 lead in the series.