Sai Sudarshan out (Photo: PTI)
India vs South Africa: The first Test between India and South Africa has started at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In this test match, the Indian team has entered with 4 spinners. Whereas Sai Sudarshan has been dropped from the playing eleven. By excluding Sai Sudarshan who plays at number 3, the Indian team management has implemented its decision to play 4 spinners. On one hand Sai Sudarshan was out. On the other hand, there is also news of some untoward incident with another big player.
Why was Kagiso Rabada out?
The name of the big player with whom an accident happened before the India-South Africa Kolkata Test is Kagiso Rabada. This star pacer of South Africa suffered a painful injury during training, due to which he had to be ruled out of the first Test of the series. Kagiso Rabada has a rib injury.
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Sai Sudarshan’s test record
Talking about Sai Sudarshan, he made his Test debut during the England tour in June this year. Between June 2025 and October 2025, he played 5 Tests, in which he scored 273 runs at an average of 30.33 with 2 half-centuries. Out of these 5 Tests, 3 Tests were played against England against SAI Sudarshan on their soil. Whereas the remaining 2 tests were played against West Indies in Ahmedabad and Delhi.
Why was Sai Sudarshan thrown out?
The reason for excluding Sai Sudarshan from the playing eleven of Kolkata Test is obviously the decision to play 4 spinners. The team management has taken this decision considering the nature of the Eden pitch and the conditions in Kolkata. Kolkata’s pitch has been helpful to the spinners.
Who came in place of Sudarshan?
Akshar Patel has been given place in Kolkata Test in place of Sai Sudarshan. Apart from this, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were part of the team of the last Test match. In the absence of Sai Sudarshan, Washington Sundar will be seen batting at number 3.