Anil Kumble expressed astonishment after India dropped Sai Sudharsan for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as the team continued its growing preference for all-rounders. India opted for a combination featuring three all-rounders—Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel—with Sundar set to bat at No.3. Dhruv Jurel, who recently struck twin centuries for India A against South Africa A, has been placed at No.6.

India made two changes from their previous Test against the West Indies, bringing in Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sudharsan. Nitish had earlier been released from the main squad to participate in the unofficial ODI series against South Africa A.

Kumble questioned the decision-making behind the balance of the playi

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