Former India leg-spinner, Test captain, and ex-head coach Anil Kumble voiced strong displeasure over the Indian team’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Speaking on Star Sports, Kumble questioned the team combination, especially India’s decision to field four spinners and only two pacers—a rare and risky move on a Day 1 wicket traditionally known for assisting fast bowlers.
Kumble was particularly surprised by the exclusion of Sai Sudharsan from the No. 3 position. Axar Patel was brought into the XI, and the team sheet showed Washington Sundar slotted to bat at No. 3, raising concerns about the overall batting structure.
Kumble expressed his confusion openly: he expected India to play three spinners and two fast bowlers, not four spinners. He warned that one of the spinners was likely to be under-bowled, questioning the tactical reasoning behind such a spin-heavy lineup on a pitch that did not demand it. He also emphasized that the new-ball pacers would carry extra responsibility on the opening day.
The former head coach further analyzed the lineup and pointed out the unusually large number of all-rounders. With Washington Sundar batting at No. 3, Kumble highlighted that only Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul could be considered specialist batters. The rest—Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Sundar—brought a hybrid skill set to the table.
Kumble went on to mention that India’s XI also featured six left-handed batters, marking the first time in the country’s Test cricket history such a lineup had been named. While this offered variety, it also brought questions regarding balance and tactical planning.
A Team Full of All-Rounders: Tactical Flexibility or Selection Gamble?
Kumble described the XI as a “team full of all-rounders,” noting that this selection pattern is becoming a trend across formats for India. While having multi-skilled players adds depth, it can also blur role clarity—especially in the longest format of the game where specialist roles often decide the match.
As India took the field with an unconventional combination and an experimental batting order, fans and experts alike were left eager to see how captain Shubman Gill would manage his resources on Day 1.
