3 reasons why India must drop Washington Sundar for IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI in Visakhapatnam

The India vs South Africa ODI series is tied 1-1, with one match to go. The Men in Blue beat the Proteas by 17 runs in the first match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. In the second ODI, played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, the visitors hit back with a four-wicket triumph to level the series.

Both matches have been high-scoring contests. India posted 349-8 in the first ODI in Ranchi and won the contest by 17 runs despite a fighting effort by South Africa in the chase. In the second one-dayers in Raipur, the Proteas chased down a target of 359 as Aiden Markram hammered a ton, while Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis contributed quick-fire half-centuries.

Heading into the final ODI of the series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6, Team India will be pondering on their playing XI. The spot of all-rounder Washington Sundar could come under the scanner. Let's look at three reasons why India must drop Sundar for the third ODI of the series against the Proteas.

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#1 Washington Sundar has looked totally out of sorts with the bat

It is no secret that Sundar has played some fine hands for India with the willow across formats over the last few years. However, in the two ODIs of the ongoing series, he has just not looked the part with the bat. While most frontline batters from both sides have scored at quicker than a run-a-ball, Sundar has just not been able to find his rhythm with the willow.

Sent into bat at No. 5 in Ranchi, the left-handed batter was dismissed for 13 off 19 balls. He managed to hit only one six during his stay at the crease. India's batting lost rhythm during his stay out in the middle and they were lucky that his slow knock did not cost the team. In Raipur, he was run out for one off eight balls. Again, he got stuck out in the middle and eventually gave his wicket away.

While Sundar has often asserted that he is happy to do any role for the team, constantly moving him up and down the order seems to have affected his batting. The lack of certainty over his role in the team is perhaps one of the reasons why his batting seems to have lost shape at the moment, at least in ODIs.

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#2 Sundar hasn't made a big impact with the ball as well

If we look at his bowling in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, Sundar hasn't had much to do. And, even in the few overs that he has bowled, he has failed to make much of an impact.

The off spinner registered figures of 0-18 from three overs in the first one-dayer in Ranchi. In the second match in Raipur as well, the 26-year-old bowled only four overs. He again went wicketless, registering figures of 0-28.

Sundar hasn't really done much with either bat or ball in the series. So, Team India can consider bringing someone else into the playing XI in Visakhapatnam - a player who can make a much more significant contribution to the team's cause.

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#3 Tilak Varma's inclusion can strengthen India's batting

As mentioned in the first point, Sundar's struggles with the bat have impacted India's scoring rate in both the ODIs of the series. They were lucky to get away with a win in the first match, but his travails in the second ODI played a part in India losing out on a few crucial runs, which proved significant in the end result.

India could look at bringing Tilak Varma into the playing XI in place of Sundar. The former has been in impressive form with the willow of late and could be the missing link in the batting department for the Men in Blue.

Critics might question that Sundar's absence would make it difficult for India in Visakhapatnam in case they need the services of a sixth bowler. However, the hosts will have to take the risk. Speaking of the sixth bowling option, Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal can roll their arm over if needed.