In a surprising move during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, the Indian team management elevated Washington Sundar to the number three batting position, a spot traditionally reserved for specialist batsmen. This decision has sparked debate and raised eyebrows, especially in light of India's ongoing struggle to find a stable replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara, who retired earlier this year.

Pujara, a stalwart in the number three role for over a decade, was known for his solid defense and ability to construct long innings. Since his departure after the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia, India has experimented with multiple players in that position, including Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, but none have managed to solidify their place.

Speaking on the Hindi commentary team for Star Sports, Cheteshwar Pujara offered a candid assessment of Sundar's suitability for the number three role. "Can Washington Sundar be a permanent number three? In my opinion, no," Pujara stated.

Pujara's skepticism stems from concerns about Sundar's primary role in the team. He questioned whether Sundar is being viewed more as a batting option than as a frontline bowler. "If you are playing him as a fourth spinner who can bat at number three, then that's a wrong decision. He bowled just one over in the first innings. Would he be needed as a bowler in the second innings? The answer is no for that as well," he explained.

The decision to promote Sundar also led to the exclusion of Sai Sudharsan, a young talent who had shown promise in previous opportunities. Some fans and critics have expressed surprise at Sudharsan's omission, especially considering his recent scores of 87 and 39 in his last two Test innings.

Washington Sundar has a decent record in Test cricket, averaging nearly 45 with one century and five half-centuries. However, his experience primarily lies in the lower middle order, and batting at number three presents a different challenge.

The move to elevate Sundar is seen by some as a "gamble" by the team management, with the hope that his "consistency and calmness under pressure" can help solidify the crucial number three position. Others believe that Sundar's inclusion brings a left-handed batting option to the top order, potentially disrupting the opposition's bowling plans.

Since Pujara's last Test, India has now tried seven different batters at the number three position, highlighting the team's search for a long-term solution. While Shubman Gill has the best numbers among recent contenders, averaging 38 in 17 matches, his form has dipped in the last year. Other players like Virat Kohli, Karun Nair, and Devdutt Padikkal have also had short stints at number three without much success.

Ultimately, whether Washington Sundar can cement his place at number three remains to be seen. His performance in the ongoing Test series against South Africa will be crucial in determining whether this "interesting experiment" will pay off for India.