IND vs SA 2025: 'We don't have a confirmed third fast bowler' - Former opener questions Team India's composition after defeat in 1st Test

Published - 19 Nov 2025, 21:28 IST | Updated - 19 Nov 2025, 22:08 IST

Robin Uthappa believes that India have tried many options but have not yet found the third pacer in the side who can complement Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep have been given opportunities, but neither of them has been able to cement their spots. He also questioned India's composition after they suffered a 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, last week.

According to Uthappa, opposition teams are now better prepared when they tour India than before. He urged the Indian team to come up with improved plans for the future, as they are currently going through a transition phase.

"Visiting teams play lesser cricket than India and have far more time for preparation. There is too much cricket happening. You are going with one size fits all and trying to produce results. There needs to be a sense of realism about the goal for the next two years. Yes, you want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there? Who is really effective outside of Bumrah and Siraj? We are missing a third pacer. They are trying out a bunch of guys. In all honesty, we don't have a confirmed third fast bowler," he said on his YouTube channel.

Uthappa also believes that India not having designated Test centres isn't helping their cause when it comes to taking home advantage. He recalled when Virat Kohli talked about the need for having Test centres during his tenure as captain of the Indian team.

"Spinners are not going to be as effective abroad and are going to be fillers. India don't have Test centres as a country. You are randomly playing Tests everywhere and trying to produce results in your favor. That takes away from the larger goal. If you have Test centres, you can curate home advantage based on the visiting team. India are not doing that. Virat spoke of this when he also captained and India are missing home advantage by playing at random venues," Robin Uthappa explained.

Apart from the Test series between India and South Africa, another encounter which has the cricket fraternity buzzing is the Ashes, commencing this week. Uthappa feels England are the favourites because they have a stronger batting line-up. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator reckons that the Three Lions could struggle in the bowling department.

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"There's not a lot separating the top four-five teams in Test cricket at the moment. All of them are filling up slots and the team that feels like they have most of their pieces in place is South Africa. In the Ashes, I think Australia start from behind and England have the upper hand. England's batting is stronger, but they might suffer in the bowling," he said.