No Devdutt Padikkal as Gautam Gambhir confirms Sai Sudharsan’s spot in IND vs AFG Test

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.

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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

Tough luck for Padikkal despite dream season

The decision is bound to disappoint Devdutt Padikkal, who arguably had the strongest case among India’s reserve batters.

The Karnataka left-hander enjoyed a sensational domestic campaign. He scored 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy at 54.30, including a double century in the knockout stages. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he piled up 725 runs at an average of 90.63.

Then came IPL 2026, where Padikkal reinvented himself. Batting with greater intent than ever before, he scored 464 runs and struck at nearly 170, playing a major role in RCB’s title-winning campaign. Yet Gambhir appears determined to prioritise continuity over form. Not saying that Sudharsan didn’t have form, but Padikkal did all he could in the domestic circuit and in the IPL.

India’s thinking seems straightforward. They don’t want another batter coming in, getting a couple of games, and then disappearing from the setup. Sudharsan hasn’t completely nailed down the position yet, but the team management clearly feels he deserves a proper run before any judgements are made. That approach means Padikkal will have to wait, despite doing little wrong over the last year.

The post No Devdutt Padikkal as Gautam Gambhir confirms Sai Sudharsan’s spot in IND vs AFG Test appeared first on Inside Sport India.

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