"Playing four spinners is a little bit over the top" - Former South African pacer slams India's playing 11 for 1st IND vs SA 2025 Test

Former South African pacer Vernon Philander slammed Team India for picking four spinners in their playing 11 for the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata. Shubman Gill's side fielded Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, along with pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, as their bowling options.

Despite the unevenness in the lineup, the move worked wonders as India bundled the Proteas out for a paltry 159 in their first innings. While Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel picked up a combined three wickets, the other two spinners went wicketless.

Talking about India's decision to go with four spinners for the series opener, Philander said on ESPN Cricinfo (22:21):

"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?"

Despite the array of spinners in the side, it was Jasprit Bumrah who starred for India on Day 1, finishing with brilliant figures of 5/27 in 14 overs. His seam-bowling partner, Siraj, also boasted impressive figures of 2/47 in 12 overs.

"Firm favorite of playing specialists in a position" - Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander further opposed India's decision to drop Sai Sudharsan and bat Washington Sundar at No. 3 in the ongoing first Test. The former impressed in India's latest Test outing against the West Indies, with scores of 87 and 39 in the two innings.

His performances were vital in India's seven-wicket victory, resulting in a 2-0 series win.

"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).

Before his exploits in the last Test, Sai struggled with the bat to start his Test career, resulting in his overall average of under 31 after five matches. Meanwhile, Sundar has just begun his maiden Test innings at one-drop, moving to 6* off 37 deliveries at stumps on the opening day.

Meanwhile, the hosts reached 37/1 in their first innings in response to the Proteas' 159.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran