Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned India head coach Gautam Gambhir's comments about giving Sai Sudharsan a longer run in the Test team. Ashwin raised concerns about the selection process and asked whether providing stability to one player is fair to other contenders competing for a place in the side.
The discussion gained attention during the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan in June 2026. After India chose to bat first, Sudharsan played an important innings of 81 off 104 balls before wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai caught him off Mohammad Saleem Safi, helping India take control on the opening day.
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned giving Sai Sudharsan a long run in the Test side. The veteran spinner said young players need backing and consistent opportunities but added that giving special treatment to one player may not be fair to others competing for a place.
"Today I was reading somewhere that Sai Sudharsan will continue playing ahead of Devdutt Padikkal because we need stability. If a player is expected to perform, he needs stability, that's fine. But if stability is given to one player, then how is it fair to everyone else?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Gambhir had earlier stated that Sudharsan would continue at No. 3 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. The team management backed the Tamil Nadu batter ahead of other contenders such as Devdutt Padikkal.
India have struggled to settle the No. 3 position since Cheteshwar Pujara's departure and Shubman Gill's move to No. 4. The selectors have tried several options in recent series, including Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Washington Sundar, and Dhruv Jurel.
Ravichandran Ashwin Warns Against Judging Players Solely on IPL Performances
Ravichandran Ashwin said team management should be careful about relying too much on IPL performances when selecting players for Test cricket. The veteran spinner pointed out that franchise cricket and international red-ball cricket are very different.
"Look, you are building a cricket team. Many times, we get caught up in the IPL narrative. Whether you agree or not, the IPL has a lot of factors that are skewed. It is very favorable for new and upcoming players, especially batters."
Sai Sudharsan earned his first Test call-up after a brilliant IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans, where he won the Orange Cap. He made his Test debut against England at Headingley last year and scored 302 runs in 11 innings at an average of 27.45.
Ravichandran Ashwin Highlights Limits of Using IPL as a Test Cricket Measure
Ravichandran Ashwin continued to question the importance given to IPL performances when judging players for Test cricket. The veteran spinner said the conditions and format of the IPL often favor young batters.
"Whether you agree or not, the IPL has a lot of factors that are skewed. It is very favorable for new and upcoming players, especially batters."
Despite a modest start to his Test career, Sai Sudharsan impressed on the opening day against Afghanistan. Batting at No. 3, the left-hander played with confidence and reached his third Test fifty after facing 67 balls.
Sudharsan and KL Rahul added 139 runs for the second wicket to put India in a strong position. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 24, while Rahul and Shubman Gill scored centuries as India dominated the opening day in Mullanpur.
Also read: "He's going to make it hard": Ravichandran Ashwin issues strong warning to India openers over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
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