Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble has shown surprise as India made three changes to their playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. He also suggested that they could have gone with Axar Patel instead of bringing in Washington Sundar as well.

Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday, Kumble said as quoted by India Today,  “I thought KL Rahul was at No. 6, but he has been moved up and down the order. Yes, on form, Sarfaraz gets the opportunity. In the scheme of things, as long as the messaging for the three missing players is clear, it’s fine. Otherwise, I am really surprised that India had to make 3 changes. You really had Axar Patel, who probably won the Test series in India not just with the ball, but with the bat. I am a bit surprised that Washington had come in and straightaway made it to the playing XI.”

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Meanwhile, former opener Sunil Gavaskar echoed Kumble’s sentiments and felt Sundar has got preference more for his batting ability than bowling.

“I don’t see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns,” he said (as per the aforementioned source). “Washington Sundar inclusion which actually tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion. Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander.”