IND vs SA 2025: ‘Playing four spinners is a little bit over the top’ – Former South African pacer questions India’s playing XI for Eden Test

Vernon Philander was surprised to see India going in with as many as four spin-bowling options in the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The former South African seamer questioned India’s tactics, as they fielded a bowling attack with only two fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Kuldeep Yadav was named as the specialist spinner in the side, while Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel being the all-rounders.

“Playing four spinners is a little bit over the top for me in home conditions. You should tell yourselves if three spinners are not going to be enough, is a fourth really worthy of selection?” Philander said on ESPNcricinfo.

While the playing XI looked a bit unbalanced, the strategy actually worked out well for India, as they bowled out South Africa for just 159 after Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. Bumrah starred with a five-for, while Siraj and Kuldeep bagged two wickets apiece. Axar also chipped in with a solitary scalp, while Jadeja and Sundar went wicketless.

Firm favourite of playing specialists in a position: Vernon Philander

Philander also slammed the Indian team management for leaving specialist batter Sai Sudharsan out of the line-up and having Sundar bat at No. 3. The Tamil Nadu batter impressed with the bat in India’s previous red-ball assignment, which was against the West Indies. He registered scores of 87 and 39 in the second Test in Delhi.

“I am a firm favorite of playing specialists in a position. That No. 3 position is a massive and important position for India. If you are going to pick an all-rounder in that position, yeah he’s handy with the bat, but ultimately what kind of message are you sending out to the specialist No. 3 batter in that position,” said Philander (via the aforementioned source).

India reached 37/1 at Stumps on Day 1, having lost the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul (13*) and Sundar (6*) will resume their innings on Saturday.