'Sai hasn't got a fair chance' - Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirms Sudharsan in India's starting XI for Afghanistan Test

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it evident that Sai Sudharsan will get a long rope as India's No. 3 in Test cricket. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, Gambhir ended the murmurs that Devdutt Padikkal may replace Sudharsan as India's new No. 3 in New Chandigarh.

In six Tests, Sudharsan has aggregated 302 runs at an average of 27.45, including tw half-centuries and a career best of 87. Gambhir asserted that Sudharsan "hasn't got a fair chance" and should get a longer rope after enjoying a dream run in the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Honestly, Sai hasn't got a fair chance," Gambhir said during the press conference. "He has only played a handful of Test matches and he started his Test career in England, which we all know is not the easiest place [to bat in]. He has had a phenomenal run in the IPL as well and we have got to give him a fair chance."

"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," he said. "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.

Padikkal, meanwhile, enjoyed a stellar run for Karnataka during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The southpaw accumulated 543 runs in six games at an average of 60.33, including two hundreds.

Gambhir said that Padikkal will also be given a fair run to showcase his potential but he would have to wait for his turn.