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While Gautam Gambhir has backed RCB batter Devdutt Padikkal for that no. 3 spot in the Indian Test team, on the other hand, the Indian team skipper Shubman Gill has backed Sai Sudharsan, his Gujarat Titans opener, for the same spot.
With the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan likely to be played at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh between the 6th of June and the 10th of June. According to reports, India is likely to revamp the squad with new players to put an end to their poor performance in the longest format of the game.
Led by skipper Shubman Gill, the youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mohammed Shami are likely to return to the mix. Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi are likely to make their debut in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan: Who has the upper hand for the no. 3 spot in India's Test squad?
Devdutt Padikkal could emerge as a possible contender for the third spot in the Indian Test squad. It has been reported that Sai Sudharsan's form has been consistent with the bat in this edition of the WTC. Padikkal is in the race for the slot in the red-ball side.
Sources have claimed that Sai Sudharsan has received immense backing from Shubman Gill, the Gujarat Titans skipper who opens alongside the Tamil Nadu youngster. Padikkal could also emerge as a strong contender after he had received some staunch backing from the head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
“If Sai scores some runs, Devdutt Padikkal still stands a chance of making the playing XI,” a source said. He then added, “Padikkal is already in the team, and so he is going to get an extended run very soon.”
Devdutt Padikkal backs amazing red-ball form with dominance in IPL 2026
Devdutt Padikkal, the Kerala-born Karnataka batter, has been in some sensational touch this season, and he was later also promoted to the role of Karnataka's first-class captain. Karnataka's skipper played very well, especially in the knockouts.
Having played a semifinal against Uttarakhand in this year's Ranji Trophy, he scored an iconic double hundred at the Ekana Stadium, leading the way into the finals before losing against the Jammu & Kashmir side.
He also saved them in a do-or-die game and played an explosive knock against Punjab and also scored a massive 151-run inning in the quarterfinal of the competition. The batter was in very promising form and has extended it into this IPL season as well.
Having played just 11 matches for RCB, he has amassed 328 runs and has averaged 36.44 while striking at 176.34 with three half-centuries in the season.
Sai Sudharsan is back on the driver's seat with stellar form in IPL 2026
Sai Sudharsan went on to set a massive record in this IPL edition, as he broke a massive record formerly held by the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. Sudharsan produced a fourth successful season in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans.
He has amassed 440 runs in this edition of the competition out of the 11 games he has played this season. With a century and four half-centuries, he has scored at a strike rate of 157.70 this season, the best season for him in terms of strike rate.
He is back in the driver's seat with a stellar performance after having top-scored in the IPL 2025 tournament. He, despite several chances in the Indian team, has not produced consistent performances.
