"Not as a nightwatchman" - Former India keeper's huge statement on Kuldeep Yadav after Day 4 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that Kuldeep Yadav was not sent in as a nightwatchman on Day 4 of the Guwahati Test, but was given a promotion in the batting order. According to Karim, the lower-order batter was rewarded for his defiant knock in the first innings.

Set a mammoth target of 549 in the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India went to stumps on Day 4 at 27-2. Kuldeep was sent into bat at No. 4 after the hosts lost both their openers cheaply.

Interestingly, during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Karim refused to believe that India had sent in Kuldeep as the nightwatchman. Reacting to the move, he said:

"Not as a nightwatchman. I want to reiterate that he came out to bat when about 20-25 minutes were left in the game. So, they sent him up because of the solid defensive technique that he showed in the first innings. So far, the number of deliveries he has faced, he looks quite capable of staying there and playing for even more time tomorrow. That's the reason why he has been promoted."

The 58-year-old urged the likes of Sai Sudarshan to take a leaf out of Kuldeep's book and show better resilience on Day 5 of the Guwahati Test. Terming the last day of the match as a huge opportunity for Sai Sudarshan, Karim commented:

"I look at it as a huge opportunity for him. Can he bat through; can he survive these difficult circumstances? He's up against some very strong bowling attack. He'll be up against Marco Jansen with the harder ball and then the two spinners. So, does he have the technique and temperament to survive those difficult hours?

Heading into the ongoing match, Sai Sudarshan had played five Tests in which he had scored 273 runs at an average of 30.33, with two fifties. He was out for 15 in the first innings and was batting on two at stumps on Day 4.

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"It is going to be a big battle out there" - Saba Karim on Day 5 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

While India cannot win the Guwahati Test on Day 5, they can still salvage some pride and get some crucial WTC points by playing out a draw. Karim reckons that the final day will be a huge test for the young Indian team. He commented:

"This is the time for this young Indian battle batting line-up to come good. It is going to be a big battle out there tomorrow. They will be tested. The game plan of South Africa has been so good so far. [Temba] Bavuma has rotated his bowlers very well. He has stuck to his game plan and, so far, it has yielded him some great results."

A loss on Day 5 in Guwahati will see India concede the series 2-0. The hosts were earlier hammered 3-0 by New Zealand last year.