Gautam Gambhir Backs Sai Sudharsan for Key Test Role Ahead of Afghanistan Clash
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly backed Sai Sudharsan, saying the young batter deserves a longer run in Test cricket. Gambhir also outlined India's spin strategy for Sri Lanka and shared his views on Rishabh Pant's role in the red-ball setup.
June 05, 2026: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his weight behind Sai Sudharsan, stating that the young batter has not received a fair opportunity at the No. 3 position in Test cricket. Speaking ahead of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, Gambhir indicated that Sudharsan is currently ahead of Devdutt Padikkal in the pecking order for the crucial batting slot.
India will face Afghanistan in a standalone Test beginning on Saturday. Although the match does not count towards the current World Test Championship cycle, it offers the team management an opportunity to assess players and fine-tune plans for upcoming assignments.
"Sai Sudharsan has not got a fair chance. He played mostly in England, and I believe he deserves a proper run in the side," Gambhir told reporters.
The India coach stressed that judging a player on a handful of matches could hinder long-term team development.
"We can only pick 11 players, and Sai isn't out of form. He scored 700 runs in the IPL. If we judge him based on four or five games, we will never be able to build something for the future," he added.
Gambhir Eyes Spin Depth and Sends Message to Pant
Gambhir also revealed that India are looking to identify a fourth spin-bowling option ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka later this year. Left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are among the contenders competing for a place in the squad.
"Manav and Harsh are similar to a certain extent, but they are also different in terms of their release points. This match gives us a chance to determine our fourth spinner because we plan to take four spinners to Sri Lanka," Gambhir explained.
Sai Sudharsan is set to get a 'fair run' at the No.3 spot in Tests π #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/7lNR27lLwK
β Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 5, 2026
Sai Sudharsan is set to get a 'fair run' at the No.3 spot in Tests π #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/7lNR27lLwK
β Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 5, 2026
The former India opener also highlighted the need for tailored preparations for different overseas tours, including the upcoming challenges in New Zealand.
"We will need to prepare differently when we go to New Zealand. We may pull out a few ODI regulars who also play Tests because we understand that we need to prepare better for red-ball cricket," he said.
Meanwhile, Gambhir addressed the decision to remove Rishabh Pant as India's Test vice-captain. While reaffirming his faith in the wicketkeeper-batter, he emphasized the importance of adapting to match situations at the highest level.
"We don't want Rishabh Pant to change his natural game, but international cricket demands that players understand and respect the situation of the match," Gambhir said.
With India looking to build squad depth and establish greater consistency in the Test setup, the Afghanistan match could provide valuable answers ahead of a busy international calendar.