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The Indian team management has been formulating a stable playing eleven to take on Afghanistan in the one-off Test, starting on June 6 at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. Ahead of the match, some updates have come out straight from the Men in Blue camp.
For the match in the Whites, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has named a mixed squad of experienced and emerging talents. The number three batting position remains an unsolved puzzle for the selectors since Virat Kohli's retirement from the format. For that batting spot, the battle is seemingly between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan.
Multiple batters are in contention for a single spot
Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, captain Shubman Gill, and even KL Rahul are among the batters in the existing team who are eligible to bat for that position. KL Rahul’s batting position can be finalized depending on the opening pair.
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the two pure openers in the squad. If these two batters go to open the innings, then what will be KL Rahul’s role in the batting combination, and who will represent the team at number 3? Before the first day of the one-off Test, the Indian team management is in search of the answer.
Devdutt Padikkal could be the new number 3 over Sai Sudharsan
Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are both spotted in the nets, conducting batting sessions. Kushan Sarkar, a PTI journalist, claims on the social media platform ‘X’ that the chances of seeing Devdutt Padikkal at number three are higher than Sai Sudharsan.
If Padikkal picks for the number 3 role, then Sai Sudharsan’s batting position will be under the scanner. Dhruv Jurel’s chances to play the match are also uncertain, as Rishabh Pant is there as the keeper-batter.
“Devdutt Padikkal looks like edging Sai Sudharsan for No.3. Slip formation- Gill, Rahul, DDP, and Jurel. Once Rahul left for batting, Sai came in,” the ‘X’ post reads.
Devdutt Padikkal looks like edging Sai Sudharsan for No.3.
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) June 4, 2026
Slip formation
Gill, Rahul, DDP and Jurel.
Once Rahul left for batting, Sai came in.#INDvAFG #ICT
Pant is regarded as one of the most exciting batters and an X-factor for Team India in the Tests. If the management wants extra aggression in the batting, then Pant is a definite option.
Padikkal vs Sudharsan Test stats comparison
Padikkal at number 3 makes sense as he has played a good amount of matches for this role; he knows exactly the role of a number three batter. In his overall career, Devdutt Padikkal has played only one Test match in that position to score 25 runs in two innings. For the 4th position, the Kerala-born has got 65 runs in one innings.
On the other side, Sai Sudharsan has featured in 6 Tests in a similar position. In 6 matches and 11 innings, the young batter has claimed 302 runs for an average of 27.45, including the highest score of 45.
Stats-wise, Sudharsan has better numbers than Padikkal, and both of the batters did needful jobs for their respective teams a service in the franchise as well. Then, if the selectors want to choose one between these two batters for one single spot, then who deserves the most? Overall stats and recent form have made the situation more complicated.
