Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s comments about giving Sai Sudarshan a long-term chance in the Test team. Ashwin raised concerns over the selection process and asked whether providing stability to one player was fair to other contenders competing for a place in the team.
The discussion gained attention during the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan in June 2026. After India chose to bat first, Sudarshan played a crucial 81 off 104 balls before wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai had him caught off the bowling of Mohammad Salim Safi, helping India regain control on the first day.
Ravichandran Ashwin raised questions on Sai Sudarshan’s long-term continuation in the Test team.
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned giving long-term opportunity to Sai Sudarshan in the Test team. The veteran spinner said that young players need support and consistent opportunities, but he also said that giving special treatment to one player would not be fair to other players who are competing for a spot.
“Today I was reading somewhere that Sai Sudarshan will continue to play ahead of Devdutt Padikkal because we need stability. If a player is expected to perform, he needs stability, that’s fine. But if stability is given to one player, how is it fair to everyone else?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Gambhir had earlier said that Sudarshan would remain at No. 3 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. The team management favored the Tamil Nadu batsman ahead of other contenders like Devdutt Padikkal.
India have struggled to settle the No. 3 position following the departure of Cheteshwar Pujara and the move of Shubman Gill to No. 4. The selectors have tried a number of options in the recent series including Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel.
Ravichandran Ashwin warns against judging players only on IPL performance
Ravichandran Ashwin said that the team management should be cautious of relying too much on IPL performances while selecting players for Test cricket. The experienced spinner explained that franchise cricket and international red-ball cricket are very different.
“Look, you are building a cricket team. At times, we get caught up in the story of the IPL. Whether you agree or not, there are a lot of factors in the IPL that are odd. It is very favorable for new and upcoming players, especially batsmen.”
Sai Sudarshan earned his first Test call-up after a stellar IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans, where he won the Orange Cap. He made his Test debut against England at Headingley last year and scored 302 runs in 11 innings at an average of 27.45.
Ravichandran Ashwin highlights limitations of using IPL as Test cricket solution
Ravichandran Ashwin continued to question the importance given to IPL performances while evaluating players for Test cricket. The experienced spinner said that the conditions and format of IPL often favor young batsmen.
“Whether you agree or not, there are a lot of factors in the IPL that are odd. It is very favorable for new and upcoming players, especially batsmen.”
Despite a modest start to his Test career, Sai Sudarshan impressed on the opening day against Afghanistan. Batting at number 3, the left-hander played with confidence and brought up his third Test half-century after facing 67 balls.
Sudarshan and KL Rahul put India in a strong position by adding 139 runs for the second wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out for 24, while Rahul and Shubman Gill scored centuries as India dominated the opening day in Mullanpur.
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