Why is Washington Sundar Not Batting At No. 3 in IND vs SA 2nd Test?

In the ongoing 2nd Test match between India and South Africa, South Africa has put up a huge score in the first innings. After putting up a dominating performance with the bat, the Proteas are trying hard to get breakthroughs with the ball as well. They scored 489 runs in the first innings and have already dismissed one Indian batter, as we write.

After losing KL Rahul early, the Indian management sent Sai Sudharsan instead of Washington Sundar to bat at the No. 3 position, like he did in the first match. This reshuffling of the batting line-up has raised concerns among the fans and cricket experts on social media.

Why is Not Washington Sundar Batting No. 3 in IND vs SA 2nd Test?

Leaving aside the criticism, if we look carefully at India's playing XI, Sai Sudharsan was the one who batted at the No. 3 position in the previous series as well. Moreover, he performed brilliantly, impressing everyone. In the case of Sundar batting No. 3, he just came to bat at the position in the previous match, as the management was trying to do an experiment in the batting line-up.

Hence, it's quite evident that Sudharsan is India's first choice No. 3 position batter. He has produced some solid knocks in the previous series and has impressed the selectors, showing potential to become one of the best batsman in India. This is an important match for him to try and cement his position in India's playing XI for the upcoming tours. While the competition is too tough, one good performance might help him make his way in again.

Can India Win 2nd Test Against South Africa?

As we write, India has lost seven wickets and is yet to touch the 200-run mark. Except for Yashasvi Jaiswal, none of the other batters have managed to perform, leaving the team under pressure. From here on, it will be difficult for India to win the 2nd Test, and even a draw is looking unlikely. The Proteas have a good chance of winning the match by an innings. They posted 489 runs, and India isn't even able to score half of the runs. While the players aren't looking in good shape, South African bowlers have wreaked havoc.

Yesterday, after the game, Kuldeep Yadav described the pitch as a “road” and said that this was a batting pitch and the bowlers didn't get any help. However, when India came to bat, things took a turn, and now the pitch looks completely in favor of the bowlers. Even Jaiswal reacted weirdly after getting dismissed on day three. The batters struggled to score runs, form partnerships, and even settle down on the pitch, unlike South Africa. With two more days left, it will be interesting to see what miracle the Indian team will pull off to win the game. While it looks unlikely, India can still try to go towards a draw rather than lose the game altogether against the team led by one of the best test captain in the world.