"Don't care whether he scores a 0 or a 300" - Fans react to Washington Sundar being slotted at No.3 for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test 

Team India sprang a major surprise in their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa by naming Washington Sundar at No.3 to make up an unorthodox combination. Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan had to make way as the Men in Blue step out in the Eden Gardens in Kolkata with four spinners, and six bowling options overall.

Team India skipper Shubman Gill had hinted during the pre-match press conference that they are mulling the addition of another all-rounder into the playing XI. While Rishabh Pant returned into the playing XI in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy, all-rounder Axar Patel also slots in the lower middle-order, which pushes Washington Sundar up the order.

While India also have the option of a pure batter like Dhruv Jurel to operate at No.3, the official team sheet has the spin all-rounder named in the top-order spot after the opening batters.

Fans had a lot to say regarding the change out of nowhere, especially since Sai Sudharsan had chipped in with some runs after being promised a long run at No.3 since his debut. Here are some of the reactions on social media:

Saumya Mehta

@saumsipo

Washington Sundar will be batting at 3. My prayers have been answered. I do not care whether he scores a 0 or a 300, this is the best thing to happen to Team India since Joginder Sharma’s heroics in 2007.

Shreya

@shreyamatsharma

Is Sundar playing as india's no 3? 4 spinners in the team, this pitch better turn from 0.3

Sanskar Gemawat

@thatSanskariGuy

Axar is back. Woah Sundar at 3 so India are playing 4 spinners, but India didn't persist with Sai long enough !!!! Well well, this mgmt seems confused coz playing Sundar at 3 out of nowhere is really an interesting call. #INDvSA

Pranav Nair

@leg_gully

Woah, Washington Sundar listed at 3 If that happens, would be a wonderful way forward!

Rajiv

@Rajiv1841

🚨🚨 Scientist Sai Sudarshan got dropped from Indian Test XI. Washington Sundar is slotted to bat at no.3!! I am watching cricket since 18 years & never seen a bowling all rounder batting at no.3 for test team. If you don't trust Sai then select Gaikwad!

Kachra Seth

@code_and_swing

Wow, Washi at three. Not sure how I feel about it. Yes we could have added extra batter, but for all we know Sundar has proved people wrong many times.

Washington Sundar played in the top-order for India during the 3rd ODI against Australia in 2023

The spin bowling all-rounder has largely operated in the lower middle-order for India across formats. However, in a rare instance, he opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in the third ODI against Australia in 2023 in Rajkot.

Sundar scored a sluggish 30-ball 18 as India attempted to chase down a massive 353-run target. He has also been slotted as high as No.4 in the 50-over format for India a couple of times, where he has scored 16 runs in two innings.

The all-rounder will have to wait for the time being before featuring in his newfound position in Test cricket as South Africa elected to bat first after winning the toss on Day 1.