Where are the off-spinners? BCCI to discuss Sundar’s backup in evaluation meeting

ByTech Word News

Indian cricket’s traditional spin bowling power faces an unusual challenge: finding quality right-arm off-spinners to provide depth behind Washington Sundar. The question has become more relevant after Sundar was included in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, although his selection is still subject to eligibility verification.

There are four players in India’s squad for the seriesJasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana who are yet to be cleared. Their inclusion has raised questions about the uncertainty surrounding the squad, especially with other fit players available.

Bumrah is recovering from a left knee injury sustained during England’s ODI series in July, while Sundar and Nitish are recovering from hamstring and quadriceps injuries. Harshit also had long-term knee problems that kept him out of the T20 World Cup and the UK tour.

The selection of injured or recovering players is not unprecedented. However, repeated instances of players failing to regain fitness in time, as seen with Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan during the Test series in Sri Lanka, have added to the concern.

WHERE IS THE NEXT RED BALL OFF-SPINNER?

When it comes to red-ball cricket, Sundar has emerged as India’s preferred all-rounder in recent years, offering control with the ball and valuable points in the order. But the question becomes more straightforward: if Sundar is not available, who is India’s next genuine off-spin option?

Since R Ashwin’s retirement

  • Washington Sundar – 10 Tests, 16 wickets at an average of 38.37
  • Saransh Jain – 1 Test, 3 wickets at an average of 55.66

Before R Ashwin’s retirement

  • Washington Sundar – 8 Tests, 25 wickets at an average of 25.2

The recent emergence of Saransh Jain has partly addressed the concerns in red ball cricket. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder earned his first Test call-up after a strong performance in domestic cricket and impressive performances for India A. His selection came after Sundar’s injury forced the selectors to look for a specialist off-spin replacement.

Then there is Tanush Kotian, another highly rated off-spinning all-rounder from Mumbai. Kotian has built up an impressive first-class record and is increasingly seen as a prospect for India. He has also been productive with both bat and ball in the last two domestic seasons. Saransh Jain is the first off-spinner to make his Test debut after R Ashwin’s retirement (PTI Photo)

But if Sundar, Jain and Kotian are not available, the options become very slim.

Tanush Kotian

  • India: Still to make international debut
  • First Class: 45 Matches | 2,181 runs | Batting average 41.15 | 139 wickets | Bowling average 26.76
  • Best bowling: 5/58
  • List A: 27 matches | 198 runs | 24 goals
  • T20: 36 Matches | 89 runs | 33 goals
  • IPL: 1 Match | 24 runs
  • Recent highlight: 8 wickets for West Zone against North Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026

Saransh Jain

  • India Tests: 1 Match | 3 goals
  • First Class: 56 Matches | 2,243 runs | Batting average 30.73 | 192 wickets | Bowling average 28.08
  • Best bowling: 6/75
  • List A: 47 matches | 553 runs | 38 goals
  • T20: 21 Matches | 37 runs | 18 goals
  • 2025–26 Ranji Trophy: 518 runs at 57.55 | 30 wickets at 20:43
  • Recent highlight: 16 wickets in two matches in 2026 Duleep Trophy

This is where selectors face a potentially greater strategic challenge. India have no shortage of spin-bowling variety, with Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel offering different skill sets. However, replacing Sundar in red-ball cricket specifically means finding a player who can combine off-spin with batting, a profile that is much less common.

The situation is particularly interesting as India has historically produced some of the world’s best off-spinners, from Ravichandran Ashwin to Harbhajan Singh. Still, the current generation doesn’t seem to have an obvious line of succession once Sundar is unavailable.

The selectors may therefore have to look beyond the immediately established names and identify the next all-rounder through domestic cricket and India A.

There aren’t many off-spinners currently playing at the red-ball elite level in India. Kounain Quraishi is one young name to watch out for as he played for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.

India will play Australia at home in the whites and are looking to the fit Sundar to lead the team for this series. It is very likely that after the New Zealand series, Sundar could play straight away against Australia to be fit and injury free, the source said.

For now, Washington Sundar remains India’s first-choice player. Saransh Jain enters the conversation while Tanush Kotian continues to strengthen his case through domestic cricket.

But the real test for the selectors could come when Sundar is unavailable.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

03 Sep 2026 10:53 IST