The number 3 position in the Indian Test team has become a major headache in recent times. Once, reliable batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara used to rescue Team India from difficult situations at this spot.
Sports News: The number 3 batting position has become the biggest problem for the Indian Test cricket team currently. There was a time when batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara used to play at this position and handle Team India in difficult situations. But after the retirement of these two legends, the Indian team has not yet been able to find a permanent and reliable batsman for this position.
Rahul Dravid scored more than 10,000 runs batting at number 3 in 135 Test matches in his career. At the same time, Cheteshwar Pujara played many memorable innings for the team by coming at this position in 95 Tests. But since their departure, the team has been constantly trying new players, but no one has been able to stay at this position for long.
6 Batsmen After June 2023, Still No Solution
Since June 2023, the Indian team has tried a total of 6 batsmen at the number 3 position, but no batsman has been able to prove to be a permanent option for this position. Shubman Gill got the most opportunities in this, but he also looked uncomfortable at this position. Shubman Gill played 16 Test matches at the number 3 position and scored 972 runs.
But from his style of play, it was clear that he was not comfortable at this position. After getting the captaincy, he shifted himself to number 4, from where his game improved tremendously and now he has settled at this position.
Rahul, Padikkal and Kohli Also Failed
KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli also got a chance at number 3. KL Rahul is now opening. Devdutt Padikkal has been dropped from the team. Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket. None of these three players fit for number 3. Karun Nair was tried at number 3 on the England tour. Expectations were high from him after performing well in domestic cricket, but he completely failed at the international level.
He played four innings in two matches. Scored a total of 111 runs. Not even a single half-century. His performance was very disappointing and he deepened the team's problem further.
Sai Sudharsan's Debut Was Also Lackluster
Sai Sudharsan made his debut on the same tour. Could not even open his account in the first innings. Scored only 30 runs in the second innings. His performance made it clear that he still needs a long time and experience to settle in this difficult position. In Test cricket, the number 3 batsman is the link who handles the innings after the opener gets out early and gives stability to the team.
This place truly tests technique and mental strength. Batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Pujara were considered special for this reason. After them, the team does not have any permanent and reliable name for this position.
