IND vs AFG: Sai Sudarshan or Devdutt Padikkal? Gautam Gambhir told who will handle number-3 front

Before the only Test match between India and Afghanistan starting from June 6, Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has given big hints regarding the playing eleven. It is clear from Gambhir’s statements that Sai Sudarshan may get a chance against Devdutt Padikkal at the number-3 position. The coach believes that Sudarshan has not yet got full opportunities to prove himself in this position.

‘Sudarshan did not get enough opportunities’

Actually, from the tour of England last year, the Indian team had started trying Sai Sudarshan at number-3, but till now his bat has not performed as well in Test cricket as was expected. He has scored only 302 runs in 6 test matches at an average of 27.45. After this performance of Sudarshan, the management kept changing this number continuously and everyone from Karun Nair to Washington Sundar was tried. However, coach Gautam Gambhir has a different view.

According to news agency PTI, Gambhir defended Sudarshan in the press conference and said, ‘Sai Sudarshan has not yet got the full opportunity to show his potential. He has played most of his Test matches in difficult conditions in England, so I believe he should be given a little more time.

Gambhir further said, ‘We can field only 11 players, but it does not mean that Sai is in bad form. He has played brilliantly in IPL and scored around 700 runs. If we start assessing a player on the basis of just 4-5 matches, we will never be able to prepare a strong team.

On the other hand, Devdutt Padikkal, who has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket, is also waiting for his turn. Padikkal has strengthened his claim by scoring 543 runs in 6 matches of the domestic circuit at an excellent average of 60.33.

4 spinners are getting ready for Sri Lanka tour

Another interesting competition in the match can be seen between Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey. Both the players are in the race for the third spinner’s place in the team. Coach Gambhir made it clear that the entire focus of the team management is on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, which is to be held in August this year.

Regarding the spin department, Gambhir said, ‘Manav and Harsh may look similar, but both have different release points which makes them different from each other. This match is a great opportunity for us to test the fourth spinner, because we will take four spinners with us on the Sri Lanka tour.

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