India's spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar made headlines during the first Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for his batting position, where he batted at number three, which is a spot where a team usually feature a specialist batter in the longest format of the game.
Sundar on batting at number three
However, Sundar, who smashed his maiden Test century during the five-Test match series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, managed to score 29 and 31 runs in two innings as India suffered a 30-run defeat against the Temba Bavuma-led side.
“It’s all got to do with how I manage my time and the day. The fact that it’s not a long series means I have got enough time to give to both batting and bowling and also to fielding here and there. But then yes it’s a great opportunity to play at number three, especially at the highest level for the Indian cricket team, I would take it any day with both my hands” Sundar told broadcasters.
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Sai Sudharsan to feature at number 3 in 2nd Test
Notably, as India announced their playing XI for the second Test match, Sundar again shifted to number eight as the side have added Sai Sudharsan for that role in the Guwahati Test.
Coming back to 2nd Test, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted bat against India and the Rishabh Pant-led side featured with two changes in the playing XI as they have added Nitish Kumar Reddy as Shubman Gill's replacement and Sai Sudharsan came in place of Axar Patel.
India vs South Africa 2nd Test playing XIs
India Playing XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj