Kuldeep Yadav was named as the specialist spinner in the side while Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel were the all-rounders.
“Playing four spinners for me is a bit excessive in home conditions. You have to ask yourself if three spinners are not enough: is a fourth really worth the selection?” Philander said on ESPNcricinfo.
Although the playing Bumrah played at a five-for, while Siraj and Kuldeep bagged two wickets each. Axar also came in with a solitary scalp, while Jadeja and Sundar went wicketless.
Big favorite among playing specialists in one position: Vernon Philander
Philander also criticized the Indian team management for leaving specialist batsman Sai Sudharsan out of the line-up and letting Sundar bat at number 3. The Tamil Nadu batsman impressed with the bat in India’s previous red-ball assignment, which was against the West Indies. He recorded scores of 87 and 39 in the second Test in Delhi.
“I am a big favorite among specialists at one position. That number 3 position is a huge and important position for India. If you are going to pick an all-rounder at that position, yes, he is handy with the bat, but ultimately, what kind of message are you sending to the specialist number 3 batsman at that position,” Philander said (via the aforementioned source).
India reached 37/1 at Stumps on Day 1 after losing the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul (13*) and Sundar (6*) will resume their innings on Saturday.
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