No. 3 or not to be? Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says Washington Sundar not suited - 'Must be specialists'

NEW DELHI: Former India men's cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly said Washington Sundar is not the right option to bat at No. 3 for India in Test cricket.

Sundar made 29 and 31 in the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where India lost by 30 runs and went 0-1 down in the three-match series.




Ganguly, who is now the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), said Sundar may find it difficult to manage the role of a No. 3 batter in places like South Africa, England, Australia or New Zealand. He said India should use specialist batters in the top five.

"It’s been a tremendous time for Washington Sundar. I think he's a good cricketer, he bowls well, he bats well, but I'm not too sure whether No. 3 is a spot for him in Test cricket in the long run, across all conditions," Ganguly said in an interview with news outlet India Today.

"Your top five batters, openers, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 must be specialists who can perform in those roles everywhere, and I'm not convinced Washi is India’s No. 3 in England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. That’s something Gautam needs to look at," Ganguly said.

During India's tour of England and in the home series against the West Indies thereafter, Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair played at No. 3 position for India.

India will try to level the series when the second Test starts on November 22 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

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