Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif took a subtle dig at the Gautam Gambhir-led team management during the ongoing first Test against South Africa. Kaif expressed surprise at the omission of young batsman Sai Sudarshan from the playing eleven despite his stellar performance against the West Indies.
India surprised many by fielding an unusual eleven for the first Test. He chose four spinners and promoted Washington Sundar to No. 3 in place of Sai Sudarshan. Most expected the team to retain the main combination used against the West Indies, with the return of Rishabh Pant being the only expected change.
Shubman Gill also brought back Axar Patel for his first Test match since the start of 2024. The decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, who are unsure about India’s long-term plans for the crucial No. 3 position. Questions keep being raised on the attitude of the team management regarding the top order.
Rohit Sharma made captain – Mohammad Kaif criticizes Gautam Gambhir
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioned India’s selection approach over the exclusion of Sai Sudarshan. Kaif said that dropping a young player sends a mixed message and could create uncertainty in the dressing room.
Kaif wrote, “The decision to drop 24-year-old Sai Sudarshan after scoring 87 runs in the last Test is surprising. We were told that Rohit Sharma has been made the captain in his place due to his age, now the team management is not showing patience with a young player. The confusing signals are not good for the dressing room.” X (formerly known as Twitter),
The decision to drop 24-year-old Sai Sudarshan after scoring 87 runs in the last Test is surprising. We were told that Rohit Sharma has been made the captain because of his age, now the team management is not showing patience towards a young player. Misleading signs are not good for the dressing room.
– Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 14 November 2025
There should be specialist players on specialist posts – Hanuma Vihari
Experienced batsman Hanuma Vihari said that the management is obsessed with all-rounders. He told that all-rounders can work in limited overs cricket but not in the longer format. Vihari also questioned the need to field four spinners on the turning track.
Hanuma Vihari posted on X, “Never thought that 4 spinners are required even on a rank turner. Test cricket should require specialist players in specialist positions. All rounders are fans. White ball suits them.”
Never believed that 4 spinners are required even on a rank turner.
Specialist players should get specialist posts in Test cricket.
All-rounders are fancy. The white ball is suitable for them.– Hanuma Vihari (@Hanumavihari) 14 November 2025
Sudarshan played a career-best inning of 87 runs in the first innings of his last Test match against West Indies in Delhi. The left-handed batsman added valuable 39 runs in the run chase. He has scored 273 runs in five Test matches at an average of 30.33, which includes two half-centuries.
Washington Sundar bowled just one over in South Africa’s first innings.
India decided to field four spinners in the first Test against South Africa. The host team bowled out the visiting team for just 159 runs. Captain Shubman Gill used 29 overs of spin. Kuldeep Yadav (14 overs) bowled the most, while Washington Sundar bowled only one ball.
India last used a four-spinner combination during the Nagpur Test against England in 2012. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, the spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja played on the turning surface.
Ishant Sharma was the only specialist fast bowler in the lineup and the match ended in a draw. England achieved a historic win in the series 2–1. After more than a decade, India have once again turned to spin depth.
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