India made three changes to their playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, one of which was Washington Sundar coming in for Kuldeep Yadav. Here's why they might have made this choice.
India lost the first Test in Bengaluru last week, as New Zealand won by eight wickets to register their first Test win in India for 36 years.
The hosts responded to the defeat by making three changes to their playing XI – KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav went out, with Shubman Gill, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar coming in.
The exclusions of Rahul and Siraj are somewhat self-explanatory, with like-for-like replacements in the form of the returning Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep who was highly impressive against England and Bangladesh earlier this year.
Playing Sundar over Kuldeep, however, may have a few heads scratching. Here is why they might have opted for that choice.
Why have India picked Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav?
Sundar was a late call-up to India's squad, being added only after the first Test as he came off the back of a knock of 152, batting at No.3 for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy. His inclusion was explained by India coach Ryan ten Doeschate as follows:
"It's certainly not a desperate measure. We've got a lot of faith in the spinners we have. We just want to make sure we're absolutely prepared for the conditions. And if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option.”
Kuldeep was not at his absolute best in Bengaluru, but did finish with 3-99 in the first innings. At the post-match press conference on day three, he did confess that the pitch played a part, saying he felt that "even good balls were going for runs".
Sundar's ability with the bat is no doubt a few notches above Kuldeep's, meaning his inclusion helps India pad their batting depth. As an off-spinner, he is also playing over the other all-rounder, Axar Patel, who is a left-arm spinner due to his ability to take the ball away from the left-hander, as ten Doeschate outlined.
However, as a left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep's stock ball also takes the ball away from the left-hander. His ability to bowl googlies also gives him the option to move it away from the right-hander.
Therefore, the primary reason India have picked Sundar over Kuldeep is likely to be his batting, with the likely downgrade in bowling quality worth the trade-off in their eyes. Something Sundar does have over Kuldeep, though, is the speed he bowls at and perhaps extra bounce.
India opt for batting depth shortly after Gambhir's 'bowlers win you matches' comments
This move could be seen as a defensive one, though. Winning Test matches often entails picking up 20 wickets, and increasing batting depth can serve to stave off losses, rather than push for wins. Sundar's red-ball bowling has not been the main feature of his game, while Kuldeep's recent form has been more than solid.
This selection move has come not long after India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticised the "batsman-obsessed attitude"ahead of the first Test, saying, "Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end. If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory.
"But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match.
"So if it is a Test match or any other format, bowlers win you matches and tournaments. In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes."
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