"We are making ODI-type selection" - Former opener’s blunt remark on India's playing XI for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former opener Aakash Chopra hit out at the Indian management over their team selection for the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. Questioning the need to play six bowlers (three of them being spin bowling all-rounders), Chopra opined that the playing XI looked more like an ODI or a T20I team.

India dominated the opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday, November 14. Asked to bowl first after losing the toss, they knocked over the Proteas for 159 in 55 overs. The hosts then went to stumps at 37-1 after 20 overs.

While India had a great day in the field on Friday, Chopra was not convinced with the team management's decision to drop Sai Sudharsan and go in with six bowlers. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:

"There was a time when teams used to play with four bowlers and, once in a while, you used to play five. Then Kohli came in and said, I will play five. He created that template. But the new dispensation wants six bowlers. Now, we have taken Test cricket to that space where we are making ODI-type selection and T20-type selection. Let's take a chance at No. 3 as well."

Jasprit Bumrah starred for India with the bat on Day 1 in Kolkata, claiming 5-27 from 14 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two scalps each. When India batted, Washington Sundar came in at No. 3.

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"Sundar bowled only one over" - Aakash Chopra on India's decision to play six bowlers in Kolkata Test

Punching further holes in India's theory of backing a six-bowler policy, Chopra pointed out that Sundar was under-bowled and sent down only one over in South Africa's first innings. He opined that at least two bowlers would end being under-bowled in the Test match. Chopra elaborated:

"When this match ends, we will say that at least two bowlers have been under-bowled. In the first innings, Washington Sundar bowled only one over. What are we doing? In the first session, we bowled 27 overs and used six bowlers. We don’t do this even in one-dayers - using six bowlers to send down 27 overs."

While Sundar bowled only one over in South Africa's first innings, left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel sent down eight and six overs respectively. Bumrah and Kuldeep bowled 14 overs each and Siraj 12.