While Gautam Gambhir has supported RCB batsman Devdutt Padikkal for that number. Third place in the Indian Test team: On the other hand, Indian team captain Shubman Gill has supported his Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudarshan for the same place.
The upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan is likely to be played at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6 to June 10. According to reports, India may make changes to the team with new players to end their poor performance in the longest format of the game.
Youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mohammed Shami are likely to return under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill. Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi are likely to make their debut in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudarshan: Who has the upper hand for numbers? Third place in India’s Test team?
Devdutt Padikkal can emerge as a possible contender for the third position in the Indian Test team. It is reported that Sai Sudarshan’s form with the bat has been consistently good in this edition of the WTC. Padikkal is in the race for a place in the red-ball team.
Sources have claimed that Sai Sudarshan has received immense support from Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill, who opens with the Tamil Nadu youngster. Padikkal can also emerge as a strong contender after getting strong support from head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“If Sai scores some runs, Devdutt Padikkal still has a chance to make it to the playing eleven,” a source said. He then added, “Padikkal is already in the team, and hence he is going to get an extended run soon.”
Devdutt Padikkal backs up amazing red-ball form with dominance in IPL 2026
Kerala-born Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal has been in some sensational performances this season, and was later even promoted to the role of Karnataka first-class captain. The Karnataka captain played very well, especially in the knockout.
After playing the semi-final against Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy this year, he scored an iconic double century at the Ekana Stadium, making it to the final before losing against the Jammu and Kashmir team.
He also saved them in the do-or-die game and played explosive innings against Punjab and also played a mammoth inning of 151 runs in the quarter-finals of the competition. The batsman was in excellent form and has continued the same in this IPL season.
Having played just 11 matches for RCB, he has scored 328 runs at an average of 36.44 and 176.34 with three half-centuries in the season.
Sai Sudarshan is back in the driver’s seat with great form in IPL 2026
Sai Sudarshan made a big record in this IPL edition as he broke a big record of Universe Boss Chris Gayle. Sudarshan had a successful fourth season in the IPL with Gujarat Titans.
He has scored 440 runs from 11 matches played in this edition of the competition. With one century and four half-centuries, he has scored runs at a strike rate of 157.70 this season, which is his best season in terms of strike rate.
After top-scoring in the IPL 2025 tournament, he is back in the driver’s seat with a stellar performance. Despite getting many opportunities in the Indian team, he has not been able to perform well consistently.
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