India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up about India’s No. 3 batting position ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Gambhir spoke about the competition between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal and added that players who are currently in the playing XI deserve a fair and extended run to establish themselves.
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will begin on Saturday, June 6, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The match gives the Indian team an opportunity to fine-tune their batting lineup and address top-order concerns ahead of a busy Test schedule.
You Can Only Pick XI, Unfortunately – Gautam Gambhir on India’s No. 3 Selection Debate
Gautam Gambhir said that team selection often involves difficult decisions, especially when several talented players are competing for the same spot. Gambhir also added that players who are selected should be given enough opportunities to settle into their roles and prove themselves.
“You can only pick XI, unfortunately. Sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity. I’ve always believed that guys who we are going to play, we give them a fair run,” Gautam Gambhir told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
“And again, Sai is not in bad form either. He has got, what, 700 [722] runs in IPL. 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.”
Sai Sudharsan is still looking to cement his place in India’s Test side. The left-hander has scored 302 runs in six Tests at an average of 27.45, including two half-centuries, with a highest score of 87. The upcoming Test against Afghanistan could provide another important opportunity to strengthen his case.
Whenever His Time Comes, We’ll Give Him a Fair Run as Well – Gautam Gambhir on Devdutt Padikkal
Gautam Gambhir said that Devdutt Padikkal will get a fair opportunity whenever his chance comes. The India head coach added that the team management wants to give players enough matches to settle and prove themselves at the international level.
“So, hopefully, he [Padikkal] will get his chance. Whenever his time comes, we’ll give him a fair run as well. It’s not about giving someone five Test matches and someone else one Test match. If we give someone a fair run, we’ll give the other guy whenever he gets the opportunity comes a fair run as well.”
Devdutt Padikkal Pushes Strong Case for India’s No. 3 Spot
Devdutt Padikkal has played two Test matches for India and scored 90 runs at an average of 30.00. The left-handed batter earned his place in the squad after an excellent domestic season.
Padikkal scored 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy at an average of 60.33, including a superb 232 off 330 balls against Uttarakhand. He also impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he accumulated 725 runs to strengthen his case for a longer run in the national team.
India are looking to settle the No. 3 batting position after Shubman Gill moved to No. 4 following Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket. Although the Afghanistan Test is not part of the ICC WTC cycle, it serves as an important preparation match ahead of challenging away series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Also read: Aakash Chopra drops bold prediction on India’s next debutant ahead of Afghanistan one-off Test