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Former batter Dinesh Karthik has hit out at the uncertainty surrounding India’s No. 3 position following their massive 408-run defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The match, which ended on Day 5 (Wednesday, November 26), saw India bowled out for just 140 in their second innings while chasing 549, marking India’s biggest Test defeat by runs as the hosts were whitewashed in the two-match series.
After the loss, Karthik, in a video posted on Instagram, questioned India’s constant chopping and changing of the No. 3 slot. Notably, seven different players have been tried in that position since September 2024. Karthik said:
“In the World Test Championship cycle, out of the 65 Test matches that have been played, India's No. 3 holds the 2nd worst record in the first innings of a Test match, averaging 26. That is something for us to ponder about. Who is our No. 3? How much stability are we going to give him? Washington plays at No. 3 in Calcutta. Sai Sudarshan is playing at No. 3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping Team India, or do we need to give more stability and consistency? What is the answer?”
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In the same video, Karthik also highlighted the lack of bowling opportunities given to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and added that India are a much better team than what they showed in the South Africa series, saying:
“But what is lacking? Is it the quality of players? Their inability to play spin? Pacers and spinners being out-bowled in India. One too many all-rounders being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated all-rounder, pace all-rounder has bowled 14 overs across a whole domestic calendar season in Test cricket in India. India has just 2 players who have scored 100 runs in this Test series. South Africa had 7. I mean, come on, we are better than that for sure. How can suddenly there be a nose dive in Test cricket.”
This marked only South Africa’s second Test series win in India, with their first coming back in 2000 under Hansie Cronje.
“Very minimal chances” - Dinesh Karthik on India’s hopes of reaching 2027 WTC final
In the same video, Dinesh Karthik stated that India have very slim chances of reaching the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final, saying:
“It almost feels like, in this World Test Championship cycle, India have very minimal chances. Two away games against Sri Lanka, 2 away games against New Zealand, and 5 Tests against Australia at home. But the next Test match is after 7 months. Are we going to forget this? Are we just going to move on, saying, okay, that's a fresh season? By then, so much of white-ball cricket would have happened, and I am sure India is so good at that. Will we tend to overlook what's happening in Test cricket right now? That's the big question for us to ponder. Think, what does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were?”
India are currently fifth in the 2025-27 WTC standings, with 48.15 PCT after nine matches.
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