Indian Check cricket has reached a turning level after the heartbreaking catastrophe towards South Africa. India’s choice committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is reportedly making ready to make main adjustments to the batting order, particularly the all-important No. 3 place.
For nearly three a long time, the No. 3 spot in Assessments has been safely held by legends like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara. However now, India’s key place is large open and a troublesome battle has begun after a 2-0 loss at dwelling to South Africa.
India look to press the reset button after South Africa’s heavy blow
Karun Nehru was given the prospect to determine himself in England however was unable to show himself. Even Sai Sudarsan performed 11 Check innings at quantity three however averaged solely 27. His struggles on the spin-prone Indian pitches uncovered elementary issues in his recreation.
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Due to this, the Indian cricket crew’s administration and selectors felt that Check cricket was not the place to appropriate such errors when the stakes have been so excessive. Subsequently, they’re at the moment leaning in direction of confirmed home specialists. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are stated to be not taking part within the race.
Ruturaj Gaikwad emerges as No. 3 favourite as India seems for main Check rebuild
Based on a report in PTI, India’s home cricket stars Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh have been shortlisted for the Check. Gaikwad grew to become the large favourite. He has a first-class common of over 45 in 43 matches and has already scored knocks of over 200 and 90 within the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
The Chennai Tremendous Kings captain’s management expertise within the IPL and his calm strategy make him a robust candidate for the No. 3 function in India’s Check line-up. Patidar, alternatively, continues to have a robust home file regardless of a shaky begin within the first Check run.
Patidar, who has averaged over 45 runs in 74 first-class matches, is prone to get his probability for India in Assessments quickly. Even Rinku Singh brings a number of the most dramatic numbers. The explosive batsman, who averaged near 60 first-class runs in 52 matches, stands out as certainly one of India’s most constant red-ball gamers.
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Ajit Agarkar defends India amid Check disaster
Together with his greed and credibility, he might clear up India’s midstream issues. There may be additionally pleasure about younger skills like Sumaran Ravichandran, who averages a staggering 78 runs on the prime of the league, and Yash Rathod, who scored 960 runs for Ranji final season. Nevertheless, they’re attracting extra consideration as mid-level choices for the long run.
A former Indian selector was quoted as saying by PTI: “Folks could blame Ajit and his committee for not deciding on Abhimanyu and Sarfaraz, however then do the top coach (Gautam Gambhir) and the brand new captain (Shubman Gill) imagine of their skills? If not, what is going to they do with Ajith alone?”
Nitish Kumar Reddy isn’t the way forward for India’s Check crew
In the meantime, the controversy over all-rounders is intensifying. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Check common is 26 and his restricted bowling workload suggests he will not be the long-term reply. There’s a rising feeling inside the Indian camp that the crew should return to correct specialists quite than attempting piecemeal choices.
The previous selector added, “However Nitish Reddy is a piecemeal man. He can play T20s at greatest, however not even ODIs. Gautam wants to know that.”
“When you take all the pieces Gauti says at face worth, you develop into a idiot. He may be ruthless and not using a efficiency. In 2026, we may even see Sudarsan and Reddy fall by the wayside earlier than you already know it. He’s solely supporting the performers,” he concluded.
