Veteran India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes that both Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar deserve to be given a "long rope". This comes after Sudharsan was dropped from the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa while Sundar was surprsingly played at No.3. The latter was used as a proper batter and was given just a single over during the match
India still without a stable No.3
India haven't been able to find a successful No.3 ever since head coach Gautam Gambhir took over last year. The likes of Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Karun Nair all played at the position, but none of them proved to be great. Rahane has now urged the team management to choose a No.3 and give him ample of chances in that role. He further remarked that totally different skills are required to bat at No.3 in comparison to No.6 or 7.
“I'll take a name. Sai Sudharsan. He did well, 87 and 39, I guess. When you bat at No.3, it requires a different skill. Batting at 6 or 7, requires a different skill. Washy is a great player, an amazing player and an amazing talent. But going to bat at No.3 is very confusing for him. He must be thinking, ‘How do I set my game?’ Washy, I believe, is a bowling all-rounder,” Rahane said while speaking to Ashwin's YouTube channel.
“If he has to bat at No.3, then he has to prepare differently, and he will need to give it more time. Batting lower down the order is a completely different skill. Situations and conditions are different. Whether it is Washy or Sai, giving security is of utmost importance," he added.
Rahane then shifted his focus solely on Sudharsan and said that he should be the one to bat at No.3. He added that since it is an important role, the left-hand batter should be given a long rope by the selectors.
“If the team management is looking at Sai at No.3 for a long duration, then he should be given the long rope. Similar to Washy. A player has his career on the line. We have to play for our country, so if you want to get a player playing at No.3 for long, then giving them a long rope is important," Rahane stated.
Sudharsan surprisingly dropped for 1st Test
After not being able to impress much in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Sudharsan played an 87-run knock against West Indies in the second Test and looked set for the South Africa series. However, he was surprisingly dropped from the team for the first Test and it remains to be seen if he will be chosen for the series decider in Guwahati that will begin from November 22.