India have picked just four specialist batters for the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. Here's why.
India have made two changes to their XI from the one that took field against West Indies in Delhi. Rishabh Pant has returned from injury, and Axar Patel has been recalled. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sai Sudharsan have made way.
That leaves India with just four specialist batters in the XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Dhruv Jurel.
India playing XI for first Test vs South Africa
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk) (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Also read: No room for Sachin? Wisden's combined all-time India-South Africa Test XI
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1st Test, India vs South Africa
Why four spinners?
Shubma Gill mentioned at the toss that he feels the Eden Gardens pitch would "assist seamers" early, which makes the inclusion of four spinners slightly surprising.
"Pitch looks like it'll assist seamers at the start," he said. "Pitch should be good for the first day or two, then turn will come in."
But crucially, India have not compromised their seam-bowling depth to add the extra spinner. Instead, they have sacrificed the extra batter and are banking on the batting abilities of their all-rounders. This means they have their bases covered bowling-wise, both seam and spin, and still have batting till eight - a squad-construction philosophy that this management has shown its propensity for.
Who bats at three?
Sai Sudharsan batted at No.3 in both the West Indies Tests. In his absence, one of Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar are expected to slot in at three. Neither of them has batted that high in Test cricket, though both have experience of batting in the top order in first-class cricket for their state sides.
In the official teamsheet, Sundar has been listed at three.
South Africa, meanwhile, have had to leave out Kagiso Rabada due to injury. Corbin Bosch is playing in his place. The visitors have won the toss and are 40-0 after eight overs.
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