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Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara feels that despite Washington Sundar's solid record, he is not fit to permanently bat at No.3 for the team in Test cricket. This comes after Sundar came out to bat at No.3, a spot generally reserved for the best batters of the team during the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. Though Sai Sudhaarsan was the one who was expected to bat at that position, he was surprising excluded from the playing XI for the match.
Pujara's take on Sundar
Pujara, who batted at the No.3 spot for India for most of his Test career and played some exquisite knocks with his gritty defense-minded approach, believes that Sundar is not the right man for the job and added that there is no reason why he should bat at the No.3 spot while playing as the fourth spinner.
“Can Washington Sundar be a permanent number three? In my opinion, no. If you are playing him as a fourth spinner who can bat at number three, then that’s a wrong decision. He bowled just one over in the first innings. Would he be needed as a bowler in the second innings? The answer is no for that as well," Pujara said on Star Sports.
Pujara backs Sudharsan to deliver
Pujara also backed Sudharsan, who he feels should have been given more chances in the playing XI. While the latter's performances in Test cricket for India weren't anything extraordinary, they weren't disastrous by any means either.
“Sai Sudharsan, who has been batting at number three for a long time, in England and in the West Indies, where his performance wasn’t that bad. He was emerging well and should have gotten this opportunity. It was a golden chance for him to make a big score," Pujara added.
Though Sundar did manage to hold his own against the new ball on Day 1, he will need to score big in order to give a firm reply to his doubters. India wrapped up the day on 37/1 with KL Rahul unbeaten on 13 and Sundar batting on 6. They are currently trailing South Africa by 122 runs.
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