Sourav Ganguly questions Gautam Gambhir’s tactics after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s tactics after the opening Test match against South Africa. India was stunned by 30 runs in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata after they could not chase down 124 runs in the second innings.

The hosts played with four spinners on a spin-friendly pitch but Ganguly said the team doesn’t need that many spinners in Indian conditions. Washington Sundar was hardly bowled as the off-spinner bowled a solitary over in the whole match.

Sourav Ganguly said on India Today, “He (Gambhir) doesn’t need four spinners in India, especially when Washi bowled only a single over in the entire Test. When the pitch spins and the main spinners can deliver 20-30 overs, you don’t need four of them. So he needs to consider all of this.”

On the other hand, Washington Sundar batted at number three and the left-hander returned with scores of 29 and 31 on a difficult wicket. However, Ganguly is not convinced that Sundar is India’s long-term number three batter. 

“It’s been a tremendous time for Washington Sundar. I think he’s a good cricketer, he bowls well, he bats well, but I’m not too sure whether No. 3 is a spot for him in Test cricket in the long run, across all conditions. Your top five batters, openers, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 must be specialists who can perform in those roles everywhere, and I’m not convinced Washi is India’s No. 3 in England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. That’s something Gautam needs to look at,” said Ganguly (via the aforementioned source).

Sundar had replaced Sai Sudharsan at one down. However, Sudharsan had played a decent knock of 87 runs in the second Test match against the West Indies at Delhi.

India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.