India, Nov. 15 -- India are undertaking an interesting Test experiment, banking on Washington Sundar's solid record and airtight mentality to use him as a makeshift number three. Sundar does enjoy a strong record in Test cricket, averaging nearly 45 and with 5 half centuries to go with his one century. However, with number three being a position reserved for the best batters in a team and a very specialised role, there are questions regarding whether Sundar is the right man for the job.

India are trying to fill the shoes of a position that has been held by two men for the last three decades, one of those being Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement earlier this year but played the quintessential role of defense-minded and gritty...