Mullanpur, Jun 5: India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Friday declared that Sai Sudharsan will get an extended run at the No.3 slot in Test cricket as the young left-hander’s six underwhelming appearances in the format aren’t enough to make a final judgement on his capabilities.
Sudharsan hasn’t really looked at home in the six Tests he has played, aggregating 302 runs at a poor average of 27.45 but the head coach said he would be preferred over his nearest competitor, Devdutt Padikkal, who has been waiting in the wings since the 2024 Test match against Australia in Perth.
Gambhir believes that since Sudharsan played three of his six Tests in England in seaming conditions, dropping him in favour of Padikkal would be unfair on the Tamil Nadu batter.
“Honestly, Sai hasn’t got a fair chance. He’s only played what, handful of Test matches. And he started his Test career in England, which we all know is not the easiest place,” Gambhir said ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan starting here on Saturday.
“He’s had a phenomenal run in IPL (722 runs) as well and we’re going to give him a fair chance. I still believe that he hasn’t got a fair chance,” said Gambhir effectively shutting the debate on who will come in at No.3.
The decision also means that Padikkal will have to wait as Sudharsan will play the next 10 Test matches unless there are fitness issues.
“You can only pick 11, unfortunately, sometimes you just have to wait (Devdutt) for the opportunity,” Gambhir said, answering a query on whether Padikkal had any chance of making it.
To build a team, one needs to give talented players a longer run, said the former India opener.
“Sai is not in bad form either. He’s got what, 700 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. So, hopefully he will get his time,” he said.
But he did have words of encouragement for Padikkal, who he believes will also have his time under the sun.
“Whenever his (Padikkal’s) time comes, we’ll give him a fair run as well. And it’s not about giving someone five Test matches and someone else one Test match. If we give someone a fair run, we’ll give the other guy whenever he gets the opportunity, a fair run as well.
“But at the moment, I think we have got to give Sai a fair run as he is a world-class player as well. He’s a quality player and I’m sure he’ll come good,” the head coach exuded confidence.
Manav or Harsh? The fourth spinner for SL Tests
Gambhir wasn’t very forthcoming as to who among Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey will get a Test cap on Saturday.
But he was clear about one aspect. Whoever plays this Test will be India’s choice as fourth spinner (Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar being other three) going into two-Test away series against Sri Lanka in August.
“Look, to a certain extent they are similar, but also a little different as well…you also see that the release points, you also see what someone gets off the wicket and the trajectories and everything. And who’s probably more suited to red ball cricket,” Gambhir said keeping cards close to his chest.
“And this probably is the only Test match where we can think of or look at someone who could be a fourth spinner. Because after this we go to Sri Lanka and we might have to carry four spinners as well there.
“So, this is an ideal opportunity to try someone who could be a long-term fourth spinner as well,” he added.
Pant needs to read match situations
Rishabh Pant’s free-flowing game has earned him plaudits as well as brickbats but all Gambhir wants from the flamboyant keeper-batter is for him to strike a balance depending on match situation.
“Be it Test cricket, one-day cricket, or T20 cricket. The ultimate aim is to score runs and take wickets. You can never move away from that. How you score them is up to you. But reading the situation and reading the game is very important,” he asserted.
“And as far as Rishabh is concerned, we will expect him to be the way he is. It’s not like we will tell him that you have to curb your game.
“But in international cricket, it’s very important to play the situation. It’s important to read the situation,” the former opener was categorical about what he expects from one of his match-winners.
Asked about how Pant is taking his removal as vice-captain due to poor form, Gambhir was curt.
“Look, the only responsibility is to play for India. Everything else is a by-product. Captaincy, vice-captaincy, these are all by-products.
“And ultimately, everyone is judged on performance. Whether it’s me, or any support staff, or any player. Ultimately, that is what international cricket is all about,” he said. (PTI)
