India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up about India’s No. 3 batting position ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Gambhir talked about the competition between Sai Sudarshan and Devdutt Padikkal and said that the players who are currently in the playing eleven deserve fair and extended exposure to establish themselves.
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will begin on Saturday, June 6 at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. This match gives the Indian team a chance to fine-tune its batting lineup and address top-order concerns ahead of a busy Test schedule.
You can only pick the XI, unfortunately – Gautam Gambhir on India’s No. 3 selection debate
Gautam Gambhir said that team selection often involves difficult decisions, especially when there are so many talented players competing for the same spot. Gambhir also said that the players who have been selected should be given enough opportunities to settle into their roles and prove themselves.
“Unfortunately, you can only pick an XI. Sometimes you just have to wait for your chance. I always believe that the people we are going to play against, we give them a fair chance,” Gautam Gambhir told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
“And then again, Sai is also not in bad form. Not only has he got 700 [722] Works in IPL. If it is enough to judge players on the basis of just four or five Test matches, I think we will never make anything.”
Sai Sudarshan is still trying to cement his place in India’s Test team. The left-handed batsman has scored 302 runs in six Test matches 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 their case.
Whenever his time comes, we will give him a fair chance – Gautam Gambhir on Devdutt Padikkal
Gautam Gambhir said that whenever the opportunity comes, Devdutt Padikkal will get the right opportunity. The India head coach said that the team management wants to give the players enough matches to establish themselves at the international level and prove themselves.
“So, hopefully, he [Padikkal] He will get his chance. Whenever his time comes, we will give him a fair chance. It is not about giving five Test matches to someone and one Test match to someone. If we give someone a fair chance, we will give the other person a chance when he gets it.”
Devdutt Padikkal stakes strong claim 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 batsman earned his place in the team after a stellar domestic season.
Padikkal scored 543 runs at an average of 60.33 in the Ranji Trophy, including a brilliant inning of 232 runs in 330 balls against Uttarakhand. He also impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 725 runs to strengthen his claim for a long stay in the national team.
India are looking to settle the No. 3 batting position with Shubman Gill moving 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 the challenging series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Also read: Aakash Chopra makes bold prediction on India’s next debutant ahead of Afghanistan’s one-off Test