Well, that was a tough one to watch. The recent 0-2 Test series whitewash against South Africa on home soil was a real wake-up call. It's not just a loss; it's the second whitewash for the Men in Blue at home in just 12 months, and it’s forcing the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to go back to the drawing board. Big questions are being asked, and it seems like a major shake-up is on the cards, especially when it comes to the heart of the batting line-up.
Key Highlights
- ✓ India's shocking 0-2 Test series whitewash by South Africa at home has forced a major strategic rethink.
- ✓ The crucial number three batting spot, once sealed by legends like Rahul Dravid, is now a major point of concern.
- ✓ Long-time prospect Abhimanyu Easwaran is reportedly no longer in contention for the Test side after failing to deliver in key matches.
- ✓ The focus is shifting back to domestic veterans, with names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar, and Rinku Singh leading the discussion.
- ✓ The "youth-only" policy and an over-reliance on non-existent all-rounders are being seriously questioned under the new leadership.
The Problem with Number Three
For the better part of three decades, we never had to worry about the number three position. First, it was the wall, Rahul Dravid, and then the ever-dependable Cheteshwar Pujara. They were the anchors, the specialists who soaked up pressure and built innings. But now, that spot is wide open, and it’s becoming a real headache.
The recent experiments just haven't paid off. Karun Nair was given a shot in England but couldn't make it his own. More recently, B Sai Sudharsan has been in the spotlight, but with an average of just 27 across 11 innings, it's clear he's still a work in progress. The selectors feel his technique needs a lot more polishing, particularly on the spin-friendly tracks we see in the subcontinent.
Here’s the thing about Test cricket—it’s not the place to be fixing elementary mistakes. The stakes are just too high. India has been learning this lesson the hard way, and it seems the painful loss to South Africa was the final straw. Sudharsan needs more time in domestic cricket and with the India A team to truly get ready for the big league.
Time's Up for Some Familiar Faces?
With a strategic shift comes the tough reality that some players might find their chances have run out. According to cricket analyst Rohit Juglan, the door has likely closed for Abhimanyu Easwaran. For a long time, he was seen as the next man in, but the selectors seem to have moved on, especially after the England Lions tour.
Juglan was pretty direct on his YouTube channel, stating, "It has become very difficult for him now. You won’t see him returning to the team because a clear opinion has formed that he hasn’t delivered in big matches." Whether it was India A games, the England Lions series, or matches against Australia, the runs just weren't there when it mattered. So, the discussion around him seems to be over.
The situation with Sarfaraz Khan is a bit murkier. One source suggests the doors are mostly shut for him, while another report lists him among the names being discussed for the red-ball setup. This kind of uncertainty just shows how much is in flux right now as the team management tries to figure out the best way forward.
The All-Rounder Illusion
For a while, there has been a fascination with finding the next great all-rounder, but it’s time for a reality check. A former selector pointed out that the last truly world-class all-rounder India had was Kapil Dev. He even argued that the last competent Test-level all-rounder was Manoj Prabhakar, who could open both the batting and the bowling.
Hardik Pandya’s body couldn’t handle the rigors of Test cricket, and the new prospects aren't cutting it either. Take Nitish Reddy, for example. The selector called him a "bits and pieces guy" who is, at best, suited for T20s. His stats back this up: a batting average of just 26 in first-class cricket and he's only bowled 86 overs in 15 innings. He’s not truly proficient in either skill at the Test level.
A New Hope: The Domestic Stalwarts
So, if not the unproven youth or the makeshift all-rounders, then who? The answer seems to be a return to basics: picking battle-hardened specialists who have consistently performed in domestic cricket. The focus is now on players who value Test cricket and have the technique to back it up. Several names are at the top of this list.
First up is Ruturaj Gaikwad. Many believe he has the right mindset and technique to be a stable number three. He boasts a first-class average of over 45 in 43 games, has already scored two hundreds and a 90-plus in this season's Ranji Trophy, and has experience leading an IPL team. He looks ready for the challenge.
Then there’s Rajat Patidar. His first stint in Test cricket wasn't great, but he was in the middle of a phenomenal domestic season before an injury. With a 45-plus average across 74 first-class games, he has the numbers to warrant another look once he’s fit. And let's not forget Rinku Singh, who has an incredible first-class average of nearly 60 in 52 games. He's proven he can handle pressure in white-ball cricket, and his red-ball record is outstanding.
Beyond these three, there's also a new crop of red-ball talents making waves. Smaran Ravichandran has a first-class average of 78, and Yash Rathod scored a whopping 960 runs in the last Ranji season. These are the kinds of prolific middle-order batters who could bring some much-needed solidity to the line-up.
The Gambhir Factor and a Pace Boost
The new leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will be crucial in this transition. Those who know Gambhir from his Delhi days recall his fascination with all-rounders. A former teammate remembered how "Gauti" even tried batting left-arm spinner Manan Sharma at number three for a while before the experiment failed. This history might suggest a preference for multi-skilled players.
However, the former selector offers a different perspective. "You will be a fool if you take every Gauti statement at face value. He can be ruthless if there's non-performance," he said. This suggests that Gambhir ultimately backs performers, and players like Sudharsan and Reddy could be sidelined by 2026 if they don't step up. It will take a leap of faith from Gambhir and Gill to trust these proven domestic performers over a youth-only policy that looks good on paper but failed in the South Africa series.
While the batting gets a rethink, there’s also potential good news for the bowling attack. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami remains one of India’s best red-ball bowlers, with 229 wickets in 64 Tests. After being sidelined with injuries, he made a strong return in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, grabbing 20 wickets in four matches. His experience and ability to strike in any condition would be an invaluable boost to a pace attack that has lacked consistency.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that Indian Test cricket is at a critical juncture. The humbling defeat to South Africa has shattered some illusions and forced a necessary course correction. The era of experimenting with unproven talent and chasing the all-rounder myth in Test cricket seems to be giving way to a more pragmatic approach. By turning to seasoned domestic performers like Gaikwad, Patidar, and Rinku, the selectors are signaling a return to valuing specialists who have earned their stripes. It's a move back towards building a solid, reliable batting foundation—something that has been sorely missed.
