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Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill - (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dropped a massive update on India’s playing XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. The Shubman Gill-led side will lock horns against the Afghans starting on June 6 at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh.
On the eve of the only Test, Gautam Gambhir spoke to the press, where he confirmed that Sai Sudharsan will continue to bat at No.3. Sai Sudharsan has not got off to the finest start in his Test career, which is why there were several eyebrows raised on his place in the team. However, the head coach confirmed in the presser that the GT opener will bat at No.3.
Gautam Gambhir Commits Longer Run For Sai Sudharsan in Tests
Gautam Gambhir remarked that Sai Sudharsan didn’t get a fair run in England, which was his debut series, and the team wants to give a longer rope to the southpaw.
“We will give Sai Sudharsan a fair run. If we just judge a player after 4 to 5 games, we won't be able to build a team. So we will give Sai a long run,” remarked Gautam Gambhir.
Sai Sudharsan's Test Journey So Far
Sai Sudharsan earned a India Test spot after a stellar IPL 2025. The 24-year-old made his India Test debut against England in England but scored a four-ball duck. He showed a glimpse of his talent in the 2nd innings but threw his wicket away after scoring 30 (48).
Overall, the series was a disaster for Sai because he amassed just 140 runs in 6 innings, averaging 23.33. He had two ducks and a solitary fifty-plus scores. Due to his inconsistency, Sai was also dropped from the 2nd and 3rd Test in that series.
Sai's first home assignment came against West Indies, where he again failed to show promise. In three innings, the 24-year-old played a 87-run knock but rest were not upto the mark. Sudharsan's struggle extended till the Proteas toured India, where he amassed just 29 runs in 2 innings.
Therefore, there was a lot chatter around Sudharsan's place in the team, but Gambhir has vowed to back the GT opener.
Gautam Gambhir Drops More Hints On India's Playing XI vs Afghanistan
In the same presser, Gautam Gambhir shed more light on India's playing XI vs Afghanistan and confirmed that either Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar will make their India debut on Saturday.
Gambhir stated that the two spinners are same on skillset and India require one of them for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka where spinners will come in handy. Notably, Harsh and Manav have never played for India before.
Both Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey impressed the critics in IPL 2026 and are just hours away from India debut.
.jpg?type=mq "Rohit, BCCI at loggerheads")
