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Ahead of the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir closes the Sai Sudharsan vs Devdutt Padikkal debate. Gambhir clearly mentions that they aim to create a solid, stable team in the Test format.
Multiple changes again and again will not work in the path of development. So, instead of doing more experiments, Gautam Gambhir prefers to stick with the players on whom they showed trust on previous occasions. For the Test against Afghanistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India formed a new-look team.
Sai Sudharsan vs Devdutt Padikkal debate ahead of IND vs AFG Test
Changes are mostly made in the bowling department. Although some batters are in doubt for selection in the playing eleven. Since Cheteshwar Pujara retired from the format, the team management has been actively looking for someone who can fill the void.
For the number three position, there are multiple contenders, including Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan has more experience in playing the role in Tests than Padikkal.
As per Gautam Gambhir’s comment, Team India is likely to continue with Sai Sudharsan for the particular spot in the batting order. “We will give Sai Sudharsan a fair run. If we just judge a player after 4 to 5 games, we won't be able to build a team. So we will give Sai a long run,” the team India head coach said ahead of the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test.
Sudharsan played back-to-back Tests as the number 3 batter
During the previous edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Sai Sudharsan made his Test debut for Team India. Under the English conditions, the top order batter had a inconsistence run during the 5-match Test series.
In that tour, he featured in three matches and 6 games, scoring only one half-century. Because of the lack of consistency and struggle against the England bowlers, the Indian team management had to make some forced changes in their playing eleven. Later, when India faced West Indies and South Africa for home Tests, Sai Sudharsan retained his spot, which is the number three position.
So far, in 6 Tests, the emerging batter has scored 302 runs for a batting average of 27.45, including a couple of half-centuries. His best, 87-run knock, came against West Indies on October 10, 2025, in Delhi.
Sai Sudharsan's form in the IPL 2026 season
Sai Sudharsan is among the batters who played brilliantly during the IPL 2026 season for the Gujarat Titans. For a batting average of over 45, the 24-year-old gathered 722 runs in 17 matches and as many innings. During the IPL 2026 campaign, he recorded eight half-centuries and one century. His bond with the skipper Shubman Gill has been regarded as one of the best since they formed the opening pair for the franchise.
As he has prior experience as a number three position batter in the format, and is carrying a good form, his selection in the playing eleven will make sense.
