India drops Sai Sudharsan, Anil Kumble calls decision ‘really surprised’

India’s selection committee has made a bold move by dropping Sai Sudharsan from the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa, and former India captain Anil Kumble has publicly expressed that he is “really surprised” by the decision, highlighting concerns over the team’s heavy tilt toward all-rounders.

Sudharsan omission and team balance concerns

The main keyword “Sai Sudharsan omitted” appears naturally in this opening line. Sudharsan was left out of India’s 11 for the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while three all-rounders — Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel — were included. Kumble described the move as bewildering given Sudharsan’s promising recent form and posed the question of who would actually bat at No.3. He noted: “I certainly expected Sai Sudharsan to be playing in this Test match.” Hindustan Times

Rationale behind selecting additional all-rounders

Under the secondary keyword “India all-rounder strategy”, the team management appears to be prioritising versatility over a specialist batter in Sudharsan. India’s XI features heavy spin options and fewer specialist batters, possibly looking to anticipate conditions favourable to spinners. Kumble questioned whether four spinners plus two pace bowlers is the ideal mix, suggesting it might limit batting depth and overs out field. Garnering batting flexibility via all-rounders is clearly part of the plan, but the trade-off is exclusion of a specialist who has scored runs like Sudharsan. Hindustan Times+1

Sudharsan’s recent performance and critique

Using the secondary keyword “Sudharsan recent form”, Sudharsan arrived at No.3 with promise: he scored 87 in the second Test versus West Indies earlier this year and had demonstrated strong technique against spin. NDTV Sports+1 Yet concerns remain over his footwork to fuller deliveries and suitability for high-pressure Test roles. The selection committee may have weighed those technical aspects alongside fit within this particular team structure. Given this, dropping him still raises questions given his developmental trajectory and recent contributions.

Implications for India’s Test batting order and squad policy

With the secondary keyword “India Test batting order changes”, the move opens a deeper conversation about India’s batting-order experimentation at No.3 and beyond. Kumble flagged that the incoming batter and batting shape will face real test, especially given the bowling attack’s configuration. Sundar being slotted at No.3 makes that decision more complex: he is primarily a bowling all-rounder, not a specialist top-order batter. The overarching strategy signals risk where batting depth could be compromised in favour of bowling options and match-ups. The larger message to selectors and management is that swagger and variety matter, but so does balance and role clarity.

Takeaways

• India’s decision to omit Sai Sudharsan marks a significant selection statement and has sparked public commentary from Anil Kumble.
• The prevalence of all-rounders in India’s playing XI suggests a strategic shift but raises concerns about specialist batting depth.
• Sudharsan had recent strong performances, yet technical concerns and role fit may have influenced his exclusion.
• The reshaped batting order and team composition will impact India’s Test strategy, especially in challenging early days of the match.

FAQ
Q1: Why was Sai Sudharsan dropped from the Test squad?
While official reasons are not detailed, selection appears influenced by India’s preference for extra all-rounders, condition-specific bowling strength, and some technical critiques of Sudharsan’s game in long formats.
Q2: What did Anil Kumble say about the decision?
He said he was “really surprised” by the lineup, questioning the logic of dropping Sudharsan given his potential, and raised concerns that the batting structure may be unbalanced with too many all-rounders. Hindustan Times
Q3: How might this selection affect India’s batting order?
With Sudharsan out, India will likely rely on other batters or all-rounders to fill roles at No.3 and No.6. This could increase pressure on those batters and expose the top-order if the all-round options don’t deliver consistently.
Q4: Does this mean Sudharsan’s career is in jeopardy?
Not necessarily. While the omission is a setback, Sudharsan remains a young talent and could return if he performs strongly in domestic and A-team cricket. The decision reflects role fit rather than outright dismissal of his potential.