New Delhi, Nov. 14 -- Fans and experts were taken by surprise when Sai Sudharsan was dropped from the Indian playing XI against South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. With Sudarshan missing out, India fielded four spinners - Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, with three off them pure all-rounders.

Having made his Test debut in England in June, Sudharsan has been in an out of the Indian side, with his last Test coming against West Indies at home. In fact, he had also scored a 87 in the first innings of the second Test against the Caribbean.

With no Sudharsan, India have promoted Sundar to bat no.3, after openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Captain Shubman Gill will come ...