Indian cricket’s traditional strength in spin bowling is facing an unusual challenge: finding quality right-arm off-spinners to provide depth beyond Washington Sundar. The issue has become more relevant after Sundar was included in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, although his selection remains subject to fitness clearance.
India’s squad for the series includes four players, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, who are yet to receive fitness clearance. Their inclusion has raised questions about the uncertainty surrounding the squad, particularly with other fit players available.
Bumrah is recovering from a left knee injury sustained during the England ODI series in July, while Sundar and Nitish are recovering from hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively. Harshit has also had long-standing knee issues 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 Sri Lanka Test series, have added to the concerns.
WHERE IS THE NEXT RED BALL OFF-SPINNER?
When it comes to red-ball cricket, Sundar has emerged as India’s preferred off-spinning all-rounder in recent years, offering control with the ball and valuable runs down the order. But the question is becoming increasingly straightforward: if Sundar is unavailable, 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 Tests, 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 concern in red-ball cricket. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder earned his maiden Test call-up after a strong run 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 regarded off-spinning all-rounder from Mumbai. Kotian has built an impressive first-class record and is increasingly being viewed as a potential India player. He has also been productive with both bat and ball over the past two domestic seasons.
But if Sundar, Jain and Kotian are all unavailable, the options become considerably thinner.
Tanush Kotian
- India: Yet 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 wickets
- T20: 36 matches | 89 runs | 33 wickets
- IPL: 1 match | 24 runs
- Recent highlight: 8 wickets for West Zone against North Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy
Saransh Jain
- India Tests: 1 match | 3 wickets
- 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 wickets
- T20: 21 matches | 37 runs | 18 wickets
- 2025-26 Ranji Trophy: 518 runs at 57.55 | 30 wickets at 20.43
- Recent highlight: 16 wickets in two matches in the 2026 Duleep Trophy
That is where the selectors face a potentially bigger 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 ability, a profile that is far less common.
The situation is particularly interesting because India have historically produced some of the world’s finest off-spinners, from Ravichandran Ashwin to Harbhajan Singh. Yet the current generation does not appear to have an obvious succession line once Sundar is unavailable.
The selectors may therefore have to look beyond the immediately established names and identify the next off-spinning all-rounder through domestic cricket and India A.
Not many off-spinners are playing at the elite red-ball level in India at the moment. Kounain Quraishi is one young mname to watch out for, having played for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
India will be playing Australia at home in whites, and for that series, the team management is looking for a fit Sundar. It is very likely that, after the New Zealand series, Sundar might directly play against Australia to keep him fit and injury-free, a source said.
For now, Washington Sundar remains India’s first-choice off-spinner. Saransh Jain has entered 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 not available.
– Ends
