Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif urged the Indian team management to bring in Sai Sudharsan into the playing XI instead of adding another player in place of the injured Shubman Gill in the second Test against South Africa. However, Gill, the Indian skipper is unlikely to feature in the crucial Test after sustaining a freak neck injury during the series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata as well.

“When you run so many theories like this, then you will never be able to back a good player. There is already too much thinking about left-handed and all that. It is a Test match, what difference does it make whether a batter is left-handed or right-handed when you have the skill, ability, and defence? If India consider bringing in another player when they are placed like this, just because your existing option is a left-handed batter, then what is the left-handed batter’s fault?” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

“Sai Sudharsan does not just play left-arm spin well, he plays all types of spin well. He has struck sublime drives off Sunil Narine’s bowling in the IPL, and he is someone who bowls all types of spin. When most batters can’t even read him, a young player like Sai has smashed him,” he further added.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in a good form since the beginning of the 2025-26 domestic season. He has smashed six scores over fifty across his last 10 innings across formats, which includes a stunning 184 in the Duleep Trophy.

“India is already doing too much out of the box stuff, so I request that don’t go out of the box once again. Sai Sudharsan should be confirmed in the playing XI now, there should not be even bit of a doubt in the team management’s decision regarding this. Don’t think about bringing someone in from here and there. When you already have a player in the squad, who is already deserving, and someone you have benched after he scored 87,” Kaif said.

“What has Gaikwad done in Tests? We have already seen Sai hit 87 for India , score runs in England, and is already in line, you will play him only, right? Just because you want a right-handed batter, you bring in a certain player? See, Gaikwad is a good player, but there is a certain way of doing things. Imagine what will happen to Sudharsan’s morale if Gaikwad is brought in,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.