Gautam Gambhir is kind to this 24-year-old player, who fixed the No. 3 spot in the AFG Test; he said, "He played in the IPL..."

IND vs AFG Test: Gautam Gambhir has confirmed the 24-year-old's spot in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Gambhir also discussed the player's IPL performance.

 

 

 

Gautam Gambhir PC IND vs AFG Test: The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will begin on Saturday, June 6. In the pre-match press conference, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed which player will bat at number 3 in the Afghanistan Test.

Gambhir stated that the number 3 spot has been earmarked for 24-year-old left-handed batsman Sai Sudharsan. The head coach believes that Sudharsan hasn't received a fair chance yet. He also discussed Sudharsan's IPL form.

Sudarshan did not get a fair chance – Gautam Gambhir.

"To be honest, he hasn't got a fair chance yet. He's played only a few Tests. He started his career in England, which we all know isn't the easiest place to play. He's scored runs in the IPL. I still believe he hasn't got a fair chance yet."

Speaking further, Gambhir said, "Unfortunately, you can only pick 11 players. Sometimes you have to wait for your chance. I have always believed that we should give the players we are going to play fair chances. Sai is not in bad form either. He scored nearly 700 (722) runs in the IPL. If it is right to judge a player on the basis of 4-5 Tests, then I don't think we will ever be able to make anything."

Sai Sudarshan's Test career

Sudarshan has played six Test matches so far. Batting in 11 innings, he has scored 302 runs at an average of 27.45. He has scored two half-centuries during this period, with a high score of 87. Sudarshan made his Test debut against England in June 2025. His last Test was against South Africa in November 2025.