“When you’ve been watching Test cricket since 2009, one rarely expects a bowling all-rounder to walk in at No. 3 for India. Yet here we are, with Sai Sudharsan omitted from the first Test vs South Africa at Eden Gardens and Washington Sundar pencilled in high up the order.
Behind this bold move lies the tandem of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Captain Shubman Gill. Gambhir appears to have set the strategic blueprint — the type of wicket he envisaged, the balance he wanted — while Gill, in his on-field and selection leadership role, has sign-alled it with his pre-match statements. Together they seem to have opted for the flexibility of an all-rounder at No 3 over the conventional specialist bat.
The question for the blog reader: Is this a stroke of genius or a gamble? The conditions at Eden suggest a surface that may reward spin and carry later rather than outright pace dominance early — which justifies the thinking. The real test will come when the toss is done, the innings begins, and the No. 3 has to deliver under pressure.
So to answer your question:
the decision is not purely the coach’s nor purely the captain’s — it’s very much a joint decision between Gambhir and Gill (with input from other coaching staff and selectors). But if you must attribute primary responsibility, you could lean slightly more towards the coach and management (Gambhir) in setting the strategy, while also acknowledging the captain (Gill) and senior team management implemented and confirmed it.
