"It was almost like an apology" - Murali Kartik's stunning claim on Team India's bowling changes on Day 1 of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik cheekily stated that skipper Rishabh Pant may have brought Washington Sundar as the first spinner into the attack as a make-up for the last game on Day 1 of the second South African Test in Guwahati. The young off-spinner bowled only one over across the two innings in the series opener in Kolkata, where India suffered a 30-run loss.

However, Sundar was first in action among the three spinners and delivered 14 overs on the opening day of the ongoing second Test.

Karthik also believes the 26-year-old may have pushed too hard after hardly bowling in the opening outing, resulting in him going wicketless.

"He (Sundar) was the first spinner today. It was almost like an apology for not using him in the previous game. Sometimes when you are the third spinner, as soon as you get the ball, you want to get wickets because the captain could take the ball away from you," he said on Cricbuzz (7:11).

Kartik added:

"Especially when you suddenly get the ball first, you start thinking, 'What's happening here? So I need to do something special.' And you end up doing more than what you need to do rather than settling into a rhythm."

Sundar was economical, giving away only 36 runs in his 14 overs, despite not opening his account in the wickets column.

"He'll be feeling a little bit stiff tomorrow" - Shaun Pollock

Former South African captain Shaun Pollock jokingly said Washington Sundar could be feeling stiff after bowling 14 overs on Day 1 of the second Test after his one-over previous outing. The hosts played four spinners in the series opener, resulting in the young all-rounder playing a bigger role with the bat at No.3.

Pollock also commended the Indian attack for a disciplined showing on a benign Guwahati track.

"Washington Sundar bowled 14 overs after just one in the entire last match. So he'll be feeling a little bit stiff tomorrow. I thought everyone was good. It wasn't that easy as after the first hour nipped around, it wasn't one of those wickets where you just rock up and things happen. You had to think of other plans like Plan A to even Plan D at times and that's good for Test cricket," he said (via the aforementioned source).

Despite Sundar's wicketless day, India kept the Proteas in check at 247/6 at stumps on the opening day.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran