Hanuma Vihari has sparked a fresh debate around India’s team combination, stating that even on rank turners, playing four spinners is unnecessary in Test cricket. Without naming anyone directly, the senior batter hinted that India’s current approach—packing the XI with all-rounders—feels more suited to white-ball formats than the traditional demands of red-ball cricket.
Coming into the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, most expected India to follow a familiar structure from the recent home series against the West Indies, with Rishabh Pant’s return being the only significant change. However, Shubman Gill and the team management surprised many by including Axar Patel, marking his first appearance in the format since early 2024, and forming a four-spinner attack alongside Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
But the workload didn’t quite justify the selection. India bowled 29 overs of spin in South Africa’s first innings, with Kuldeep shouldering 14 of them. Sundar, meanwhile, bowled only one over, raising further questions about the tactical clarity behind the selection.
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Hanuma Vihari’s post on X reflected that sentiment: “Never believed four spinners are required even on rank turners. Specialist players in specialist positions should be the case in Test cricket. All-rounders are fancy. White ball suits them.”
Never believed 4 spinners are required even on rank turners .
Specialist players ln specialist position should be the case in test cricket.
All rounders are fancy. White ball suits them.— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) November 14, 2025
The selection also came at the expense of young Sai Sudharsan, who was left out despite his impressive 87 and 39 in his previous Test outing against the West Indies.
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On the field, though, India still dominated thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance. The ace pacer delivered a sensational 5/27, dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup and removing key players like Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and Tony de Zorzi. Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel combined for the remaining wickets as the visitors folded for just 159 on the opening day.
