For the last few days, the debate had almost written itself. Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal? IPL’s most consistent batter or the domestic giant who just helped RCB win the title? With India’s No. 3 spot still searching for a long-term owner, the choice between the two for the one-off Test against Afghanistan would’ve given us many hints.
Gautam Gambhir, however, has ended the discussion before the first ball has even been bowled. On the eve of the Test in New Chandigarh, the India head coach confirmed that Sudharsan will continue at first drop, effectively shutting the door on Padikkal’s hopes of forcing his way into the XI despite a prolific 2025-26 season.
Cricket 4 seconds Predicted India Playing XI vs Afghanistan: Sudharsan-Padikkal battle; Kuldeep Yadav starts with Harsh Dubey?Sudharsan hasn’t gotten fair chance: Gautam Gambhir
India’s search for a No. 3 batter has become one of the biggest unresolved questions in Test cricket since Cheteshwar Pujara’s exit. Seven different players have occupied the position over the last two years, with none managing to cement their place.
Sudharsan has been one of those options. The left-hander has played six Tests, scoring two half-centuries, but averages just over 27. His returns against South Africa earlier this year, 15 and 14 in Guwahati, left a lot to be desired.
Gambhir, though, believes the criticism has come too early.
“Honestly, Sai hasn’t got a fair chance,” Gambhir said. “He’s only played, what, a handful of Test matches. And he started his Test career in England, which we all know is not the easiest place. And he’s had a phenomenal run in the IPL as well, and we’ve got to give him a fair chance. I still believe that he hasn’t got a fair chance.”
“We can only pick 11 players and Sai isn’t in bad form. He scored 700 runs in IPL. If we judge Sai on the basis of four-five games, we will never be able to build something.”
It’s clear the management sees Sudharsan as a long-term investment. The 24-year-old finished IPL 2026 with 710 runs and was one-half of the most dominant opening partnership in the tournament alongside Shubman Gill. There’s that factor as well. Having Sudharsan and Gill at three and four means that the IPL’s best duo will work in tandem.
Most Test runs for India since Rohit and Kohli’s retirements
PlayerMatchesInningsRunsHSAverage100s/50sShubman Gill81495026979.165/1KL Rahul91779613749.753/3Ravindra Jadeja915725107*72.502/6Yashasvi Jaiswal91771317541.943/3Rishabh Pant61152813448.002/3Washington Sundar813417101*41.701/1Sai Sudharsan6113028727.450/2Dhruv Jurel5925712532.121/0No Devdutt Padikkal as Gautam Gambhir confirms Sai Sudharsan’s spot in IND vs AFG Test Inside Sport India.
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