Gambhir backs Sudharsan at No. 3 for Afghanistan Test, promises 'longer rope'
Synopsis
Gautam Gambhir has staked his faith in Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 for India's one-off Afghanistan Test — a position that has cycled through five different batters since Pujara's exit. With Sri Lanka next and the WTC equation alive, this is less a selection call and more a statement of intent about how India plans to rebuild its Test middle order.
Key Takeaways
Sai Sudharsan confirmed at No.
3 for India's one-off Test vs Afghanistan starting Saturday in New Chandigarh .
Coach Gautam Gambhir cited Sudharsan's 722 IPL runs and called him a 'world-class player'.
Sudharsan has played six Tests , averaging just over 27 ; the No.
3 slot has been tried with five different batters since Pujara's departure.
Devdutt Padikkal was told to wait his turn; Gambhir stressed both players would get a 'fair run'.
India are sixth in the WTC standings with 48.15% of points but Gambhir says they can still reach the final.
Left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are competing for the fourth-spinner slot ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka .
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly backed young left-hander Sai Sudharsan to bat at No. 3 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, beginning at New Chandigarh on Saturday, 7 June. Gambhir's public endorsement signals that the team management is committed to giving Sudharsan an extended run in a batting slot that has remained unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara's exit from the Test side.
Gambhir's Case for Sudharsan
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gambhir was unequivocal: 'Sai Sudharsan hasn't got a fair chance. He played in England. We will give him a longer rope.' The coach also cited Sudharsan's 722 runs in the IPL as evidence of current form, pushing back against the notion that a handful of Test appearances is sufficient to judge a player's ability.
'If judging players by only four or five Test matches is good enough, then I feel that we will never be able to build something,' Gambhir added, underlining a broader philosophy of sustained investment in young talent.
Padikkal's Wait and the Selection Dilemma
When asked whether Devdutt Padikkal — who has impressed in domestic red-ball cricket — deserved a look-in, Gambhir acknowledged the constraint of picking only eleven players. 'You can only pick XI, unfortunately. Sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity,' he said, adding that Padikkal would receive a fair run when his chance arrived. The comment reflects the squeeze at the top of India's Test batting order, where competition is intense but opportunities are limited.
The No. 3 Problem Since Pujara
India's search for a settled No. 3 has been one of the more persistent structural challenges in their Test rebuilding. Since Pujara's departure, the position has been occupied — with varying degrees of success — by Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Padikkal, and Sudharsan. Gill had the longest uninterrupted run at one-drop before shifting to No. 4 after assuming the Test captaincy following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the format. Sudharsan has appeared in six Tests to date, averaging just over 27, but the management's confidence in his long-term potential remains intact.
WTC Ambitions and Spin Audition
Despite India sitting sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with 48.15% of available points, Gambhir insisted the side retains a realistic path to the final. 'We believe that we can win the WTC. There is talent and hunger in this team,' he said.
The Afghanistan fixture also serves a tactical purpose ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are in direct competition for a squad berth, and Gambhir confirmed the match will help determine India's fourth spinner. 'Manav and Harsh are to a certain extent similar but different also in terms of release points. This match gives us a chance to determine our fourth spinner as we will take four spinners in Sri Lanka,' he said.
How Sudharsan performs at New Chandigarh could shape India's middle-order architecture for the Sri Lanka Tests and beyond.
Point of View
And none has made it their own. Sudharsan's IPL form is encouraging, but red-ball consistency at Test level requires a different kind of proof. If he underperforms against Afghanistan — a relatively forgiving spin attack — the management's resolve will face its first real test before the far sterner examination in Sri Lanka.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will bat at No. 3 for India in the Afghanistan Test?
Sai Sudharsan will bat at No. 3 for India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed the selection at the pre-match press conference, saying the team will give Sudharsan a 'longer rope'.
Why is India's No. 3 position still unsettled?
India's No. 3 slot has been in flux since Cheteshwar Pujara's exit from Test cricket. Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan have all been tried in the position, with none establishing a permanent claim. Gill had the longest run before moving to No. 4 after taking over the Test captaincy.
What did Gambhir say about Devdutt Padikkal's chances?
Gambhir said Padikkal would get his opportunity when the time was right, noting that 'you can only pick XI, unfortunately.' He stressed that both Padikkal and Sudharsan would each receive a fair run when given the chance.
Where does India stand in the World Test Championship?
India are currently sixth in the WTC standings with 48.15% of available points. Despite the position, Gambhir expressed confidence, saying 'We believe that we can win the WTC. There is talent and hunger in this team.'
Who are the spinners competing for India's Sri Lanka squad?
Left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are competing for the fourth-spinner berth ahead of India's two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Gambhir said the Afghanistan Test will help the management decide between them, noting differences in their release points.
