"When those guys come, you can ask them" - Indian pacer's hilarious comment on Sundar batting at No. 3 in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test 

Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah stated that he was not aware of the thought process behind Washington Sundar batting at No. 3 in the Kolkata Test. Explaining that he is not part of the current leadership group, the fast bowler quipped that the query should be posed to members of the leadership group.

India dominated Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14. Bowling first after losing the toss, they knocked over the Proteas for 159 in 55 overs. Bumrah was outstanding with the ball, claiming 5-27 from 14 overs. In response, India went to stumps at 37-1 in 20 overs.

India's playing XI was a big talking point on Day 1 of the Kolkata Test. The hosts went in with four spinners, with all-rounder Sundar batting at No. 3. At a press conference following the opening day's play, Bumrah was asked about the intriguing move of sending Sundar to bat at No. 3. He cheekily replied:

"I am not the captain as of now. I am sure, there must be a reasoning behind it and when those guys come, you can ask them. I am not really aware was what was the whole thought process. We back all our players to do the job. But, I don't know what was the conversation behind it."

India dropped Sai Sudharsan from the playing XI for the Kolkata Test and picked both Axar Patel and Sundar, apart from Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Sundar bowled only one over in South Africa's first innings and was unbeaten on six off 38 at stumps on Day 1.

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"When I bowled the first over, everything happened" - Jasprit Bumrah reflects on bowling effort on Day 1 of IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Asked about the nature of the Eden Gardens surface on Day 1 of the Test, Bumrah explained that the ball was doing a lot when it was hard and new. He added that accuracy became important once the ball began to get softer. The pacer said:

"When the ball is hard and nice maybe the deviation is a little quicker. As and when the ball becomes softer, the deviation lessens and then your accuracy comes into play. When I bowled the first over, everything happened - the ball swung, it stayed low. It was a little difficult to understand what is the right length."

While Bumrah claimed five wickets in South Africa's first innings, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep chipped in with two each. Responding to Proteas' first innings total of 159, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 12 as he was bowled by Marco Jansen.