Dinesh Karthik has raised a crucial concern regarding India’s strategy in the recent Kolkata Test, particularly around Washington Sundar’s elevation to the No. 3 spot. Sundar, who stood in for Sai Sudharsan, delivered impressive knocks of 29 and 31 in both innings, showcasing maturity and adaptability in a pressure situation.

However, what stood out more than his batting was his limited involvement with the ball—bowling just one over across the entire Test match. With 35 wickets in 16 Tests, Sundar’s prowess as a bowling all-rounder has always been appreciated. Yet, Karthik believes this tactical shift could signal a significant change in how the team management views the 26-year-old.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, the former India wicketkeeper said, “If you’re sending him in at No. 3, it’s a subtle message that you’re expecting big runs from him. When the focus shifts to batting, the time and energy he can dedicate to bowling naturally reduces.”

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Karthik believes that excelling at both skills at the international level is a demanding task and this new role might compromise Sundar’s bowling, which has been vital for India, especially on subcontinent tracks.

“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,” Dinesh Karthik explained, highlighting the challenge of maintaining balance between the two disciplines.

Adding to the discussion, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock offered a slightly different perspective. He acknowledged that while the batting experiment is bold, it also reflects confidence in Sundar’s potential.

“Application is the right word. Sundar needs to figure out his tempo at No. 3—when to attack, when to consolidate. He deserves a proper run in this role,” Shaun Pollock stated. He suggested keeping him in the position for a few more games to assess how he develops, stressing that Sundar has often been underutilized in the system.

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Despite Sundar’s valiant efforts with the bat, India slumped to a 30-run loss against South Africa. As debates around team combinations and player roles continue, India’s management faces a delicate decision: nurturing Sundar’s growing batting potential without stifling his bowling talent, an asset that’s hard to replace.