Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar believes questions will start to creep into young left-hander Sai Sudharsan's mind after being excluded from the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa in Eden Gardens. In a surprising decision, India dropped Sai and played a fourth spinner, with Washington Sundar batting at No. 3.The former is coming off an impressive outing with the bat in India's most recent Test before the South African series. Sai scored 116 across the two innings in the second Test against the West Indies, including his highest Test score of 87 in the first innings, to help India win by seven wickets.Talking about his surprising exclusion after the opening day's play, Bangar said on ESPN Cricinfo (20:31):"If there is a strategy and you want to groom a particular player, Sai Sudharsan in this case, where even the Chairman of Selectors initially said that here is a person we think you can give 10 or 15 matches. That's where when suddenly he's not there after scoring a 90-odd (87) in the previous Test series, it's where you start to think what the player would be feeling."He added:"It will put a question mark in his mind. After saying we are going to back you till the hilt and suddenly those words are not backed by actions, then suddenly you question whether your place in the side is secure or not."Despite his impressive showing in India's last Test outing, Sai has struggled early in his Test career. The southpaw averages just over 30 with only two half-centuries in five games."That's why this is an opportunity missed" - Sanjay BangarSanjay Bangar believes Team India missed a trick by dropping Sai Sudharsan for a home Test, given the need for an established No. 3 on overseas tours. In his first stint at one-drop in Tests, Sundar looked solid in his 38-ball stay, moving to 6* at stumps on Day 1."The kind of indications we do get from previous Test selections, you are trying to build a team for the future and for overseas Tests, using the home Tests as a foundation for the players to propel up further. And that's why this is an opportunity missed wherein Sai Sudharsan could have played a part," said Bangar (via the aforementioned source).He concluded:"If this is the long-term thinking of the team management, then they should stick with his combination of the thought process for four or five Test matches. But if this is a one-off thing and this combination is not played in Guwahati, then these questions will come back."Meanwhile, Team India enjoyed an excellent opening day, bowling the Proteas out for 159 and reaching 37/1 at stumps on Day 1.