"I am really surprised that India had to make 3 changes" - Anil Kumble on team combination for IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble has expressed surprise at the hosts making three changes to their XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The retired cricketer suggested that they could have gone with Axar Patel instead of bringing in Washington Sundar.
Sundar had been added to the squad ahead of the second Test after his heroics in the Ranji Trophy game for Tamil Nadu against Delhi. The spin-bowling all-rounder scored 152 and picked up six wickets and has replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the XI. The other two changes saw Akash Deep and Shubman Gill replacing KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj.
Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday, Kumble suggested that Sarfaraz Khan is justified in getting an opportunity over Rahul on current form. As quoted by India Today, he stated:
"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."
Rahul made scores of 0 and 12 in Bengaluru, while Sarfaraz made 0 and 150, thereby surging in the pecking order.
"They are worried about their batting" - Sunil Gavaskar on India including Washington Sundar
Ex-opener Sunil Gavaskar echoed Kumble's sentiments and felt Sundar has got preference more for his batting than bowling. However, Gavaskar reckons Kuldeep has been hard done by.
"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."
Meanwhile, the toss in Pune fell in New Zealand's favor and they opted to bat first. The Kiwis made one change, bringing in Mitchell Santner for Matt Henry. You can follow the proceedings here.