India vs South Africa: Sai Sudharsan fails as the no.3 problem continues for India’s Test team

The no.3 spot in Test cricket is pivotal to a team’s fortunes. The game may have advanced in terms of tactics and speed of scoring but the significance of this batting position remains paramount. Sai Sudharsan’s failure on the third day of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati was an extension of the bigger problem for India.

To be fair to Sudharsan, it was a sharp catch at short mid-wicket but he was clearly too early on the shot and couldn’t keep the back foot pull down at all. Regardless, a failure is a failure and India’s woes at no.3 have been around since a long time. In fact, since January 2020, India’s batters at no.3 only average 30 in Test cricket.

Only three teams – Ireland, Zimbabwe and West Indies – have a worse batting average for no.3 batters during this phase. India have tried out 12 players for the position, equalling South Africa for the most players tried at this position. West Indies and England both top the list with 16 players.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the last Indian player to have a long career at no.3 and since his decline, India has found it difficult to get that spot sorted. Current Test captain Shubman Gill is the only other player to have a decent run at no.3 and his average of 37 is also the best for an Indian batter at no.3 since January 2020.

However, Gill is now settled at the no.4 spot, so he isn’t an option anymore for the no.3 slot. Sudharsan with six Tests has gotten the next best run of games at this slot, but the Tamil Nadu left-hander hasn’t cemented his spot yet. With India’s next Test only in mid-2026, it remains to be seen whether the Indian team management sticks with him or go for another option.