Specialists could make a return in Indian Test cricket after the 0–2 series whitewash against South Africa, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel expected to rethink its approach to key positions, especially the crucial No. 3 slot.

For years, stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara secured the position. But with neither Karun Nair, who had four Tests in England, nor B Sai Sudharsan, averaging 27 across 11 innings, able to claim it, the spot is now wide open. Sudharsan, in particular, has clear technical gaps on spin-friendly Indian tracks, and needs more time in domestic cricket and with India A before he is ready for the Test arena. Test cricket, after all, is not the stage to correct basic errors while stakes remain sky-high.

This has led to a strong possibility that selectors may turn back to seasoned domestic performers to bring stability to the line-up. While Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran appear to be out of favour, experienced campaigners like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh remain in contention.

Among the newer batch of red-ball talent, Smaran Ravichandran, boasting a first-class average of 78 and Yash Rathod, who scored 960 runs in the last Ranji season, have impressive credentials as middle-order batters.

A former selector told PTI that while people may blame Agarkar’s panel for overlooking Sarfaraz and Easwaran, selection also hinges on whether head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill trust those players. “If they don’t, what can Ajit alone do?” he said.

The larger concern, however, is India’s increasing reliance on all-rounders who do not offer enough value. “Let’s be clear Kapil Dev was the last world-class all-rounder. Manoj Prabhakar was the last competent Test-level one. Hardik Pandya’s body didn’t allow him to continue in that role,” the former selector added.

He was critical of Nitish Reddy, calling him a “bits-and-pieces player” more suited to T20s. Reddy averages only 26 in Tests and bowls fewer than six overs per innings—making him underqualified as either a batter or a bowler.

Those familiar with Delhi cricket also note Gambhir’s long-standing inclination toward all-rounders. “When he captained Delhi, he backed players like Manan Sharma—primarily a left-arm spinner at No. 3 before eventually dropping him,” a former teammate recalled.

Need for specialists again

What India urgently needs now is a solid No. 3 and a dependable reserve No. 5, players who can provide stability during challenging situations.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is seen as a strong contender for the No. 3 role, averaging over 45 in 43 first-class matches. With two centuries and a 90-plus score in this Ranji Trophy season and leadership experience in the IPL, he is viewed as someone with the right temperament.

Rajat Patidar, despite a lukewarm start in Tests, remains in the mix. He is recovering from injury but has been in exceptional domestic form over the past two seasons and averages above 45 in 74 first-class games. Rinku Singh also presents a strong case with a near-60 first-class average across 52 matches.

However, for these proven performers to be picked, both Gambhir and Gill will need to trust experience over a youth-only policy, one that faltered in the South Africa series, where only Washington Sundar made a noticeable impression.

“You’d be foolish to take every Gauti statement at face value. He can be ruthless with non-performers,” the former selector said, adding that Sudharsan and Reddy could well be dropped by 2026. “He only backs performers.”

When asked whether Gaikwad, Patidar or Rinku are likely to make the cut, the former selector quipped, “Sitting in November, you want me to predict what Gauti will think in August next year? Only a soothsayer can do that.”

(By PTI Inputs)