NEW DELHI: India's No. 3 position in Test cricket has remained unstable for a long time, with several players tried in the role, yet the team is still searching for a dependable successor to Cheteshwar Pujara.
This ongoing experimentation has frustrated Ajinkya Rahane, who has urged the team management to stop frequent changes and instead give the chosen batter a longer run to settle into the position.
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair and now Washington Sundar have all been tried at No. 3 since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, but none has managed to establish himself as a settled option.
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Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Rahane said that the No. 3 role demands specialised preparation, something a player cannot fully develop when the position keeps changing frequently.
"I'll take a name. Sai Sudharsan. He did well, 87 and 39, I guess," Rahane said. "When you bat at No.3, it requires a different skill. Batting at 6 or 7 requires a different skill. Washy is a great player, an amazing talent. But going to bat at No.3 is very confusing for him. He must be thinking, 'How do I set my game?' Washy, I believe, is a bowling all-rounder."
"If he has to bat at No.3, then he has to prepare differently, and he will need to give it more time. Batting lower down the order is a completely different skill," he added. "Whether it is Washy or Sai, giving security is of utmost importance."
Sudharsan, who made his Test debut in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year, had a modest start but showcased his potential with a solid 87 against the West Indies in his most recent appearance.
With many anticipating his inclusion for the South Africa series, and captain Shubman Gill sidelined with a minor injury, Sudharsan is now strongly tipped to feature in the second Test in Guwahati.
"If the team management is looking at Sai at No.3 for a long duration, then he should be given the long rope. Similar to Washy," he said.
"A player has his career on the line. We have to play for our country, so if you want to get a player playing at No.3 for long, then giving them a long rope is important."
