"This could affect his bowling in the long run" - Dinesh Karthik's massive statement on Team India star after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik made a massive statement on Team India star Washington Sundar after the first Test against South Africa. The hosts suffered a 30-run defeat at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Notably, India dropped Sai Sudharan and promoted Washington Sundar at number three in both innings. Moreover, the spin all-rounder bowled just one over in the entire Test. Dinesh Karthik questioned where the team was going with Sundar and his role in the side.

He reflected that if India were looking at Sundar at three and asked him to focus more on batting, it would affect his bowling in the long run. In 16 Tests, he has picked up 35 wickets.

"Where is Washington Sundar the Test player being looked at? Is he a bowler who can bat? Now if you are sending him at three, you are almost telling him that he needs to focus a lot more on batting. The moment he starts spending those long hours for batting in practice, you tend to reduce your practice for bowling because it is physically impossible to be good at both. So the message is very straightforward that we are looking at big runs from you. This could affect his bowling in the long run. It is a very tricky one," he said on Cricbuzz.

Former South Africa cricketer Shaun Pollock praised Sundar for his application on a difficult surface. He reckoned that the left-hander must now be given a longer run at number three. Pollock reflected that India had always underutilised the all-rounder. However, he also expressed that Sundar would now have to work out his game plan as a batter going forward.

"Application is the right word. I think he will still work out his game plan how he wants to pace is innings at three, when he wants to be positive or aggressive. But he deserves a run. So you keep him in that position, give him another four-five Test matches and see how he goes. If things dont pan out well then you can maybe look to make a change. I always felt that he was underutilized. They probably could have had a look at him a bit more. But as far as the batting goes, nothing wrong with his application. He will work out more as he goes along."

Sundar scored 29 runs off 82 balls in the first innings. In the second innings, where the hosts were skittled out for just 93, he top-scored with 31 runs off 92 balls. In 27 innings so far, he has scored 821 runs at an average of 43.21 with a hundred and five half-centuries.

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Shaun Pollock on what mindset Indian batters need to have on difficult surfaces

Following a dismal batting performance from the hosts, Shaun Pollock pointed out that India needs to change their mindset while batting on difficult pitches such as those in Kolkata.

He reflected that they need to figure out how they can keep the scoreboard ticking and try to be positive. Pollock also recalled former batter VVS Laxman's famous match-winning 281-run knock against Australia in 2001 at the same venue in difficult conditions.

"I think on that surface the mindset had to be where can we score from time to time, how can we look to be positive. I thought the intensity went through the roof when Jadeja got to the crease. Pant probably wasn't there for long enough. Where are those old Indian batters who on certain conditions, even though its difficult, found ways of dominating? You think of VVS Laxman, when he played that innings here against Australia. What's happening with these chases now?," he said.

India struggled to chase down a target of 124 runs against South Africa in the opening Test. The visitors have now taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Shubman Gill and Co. will be under pressure to draw level at Guwahati and avoid another home series defeat.