“He doesn’t need four spinners in India” - Legendary captain slams Gautam Gambhir’s tactics after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir's decision to play four spinners in the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata. The hosts played Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, alongside the two specialist pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

However, Sundar bowled only the lone over in the first innings and did not bowl at all in the second as India suffered a shocking 30-run defeat in a low-scoring thriller.

Talking about Gambhir's decision to play all four spinners in the squad in the Kolkata Test, Ganguly told India Today:

"He (Gambhir) doesn't need four spinners in India, especially when Washi bowled only a single over in the entire Test. When the pitch spins and the main spinners can deliver 20-30 overs, you don't need four of them. So he needs to consider all of this."

India's batting fell woefully short of totals in both innings, scoring only 189 and 93, respectively.

"Not convinced Washi is India’s No. 3" - Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly opposed India's decision to bat all-rounder Washington Sundar at No. 3 in the first South African Test. It was the first time the 26-year-old batted at the position in Tests, replacing Sai Sudharsan.

Despite the lack of a big score in either innings, Sundar looked the part technically on a tricky surface, combining for 60 runs across the two innings.

"It’s been a tremendous time for Washington Sundar. I think he's a good cricketer, he bowls well, he bats well, but I'm not too sure whether No. 3 is a spot for him in Test cricket in the long run, across all conditions. Your top five batters, openers, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 must be specialists who can perform in those roles everywhere, and I'm not convinced Washi is India’s No. 3 in England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. That’s something Gautam needs to look at," said Ganguly (via the aforementioned source).

Team India must win the second Test against South Africa to avoid a second home series defeat in their last three affairs. The game will be played in Guwahati, starting Saturday, November 22.