Former selector Devang Gandhi has urged India to give its next number three Test batsman a sustained run to solve the team’s batting instability since Cheteshwar Pujara’s exit, ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan
Published Date – 5 June 2026, 02:32 PM
New Delhi: The number three batting position remains India’s biggest concern heading into the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. Former national selector Devang Gandhi noted that the slot has been unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara’s exit and urged team management to give the next incumbent a longer run.
India’s number three position remains the most unstable seat in its Test batting line-up. Since Pujara’s departure, seven batters have auditioned at one-drop, but none have nailed it down so far. Shubman Gill had the longest stint before shifting down the batting order after taking over as Test captain.
Since then, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, and Devdutt Padikkal have all batted at number three. The recent 2-0 home series loss to South Africa laid bare the chaos—Washington was thrust into the role on a raging turner at Eden Gardens, only to be dropped down the order after India’s batting collapse.
Sudharsan returned for the game in Guwahati but is yet to make the spot his own. For the upcoming Test against Afghanistan, Sudharsan is again in the mix, though Padikkal’s prolific domestic run puts him firmly in contention.
“See, the number three spot has been a spot of bother. Nobody has settled in since Pujara left. So, that will be one area where India would like to try out the youngsters. Even Kuldeep [Yadav] hasn’t had a game for a long time. If Kuldeep comes into play, his form is going to be very crucial going into the Sri Lanka tour,” Gandhi said in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday.
“I think India will definitely keep those options in mind and then go ahead because this is a very good chance—we’re playing in Chandigarh, and the wicket is also going to be good. India hasn’t played a Test match for quite some time. Before heading to Sri Lanka, this is the right time to get most of the players back in form and give them some game time,” Gandhi added.
On Sudharsan’s prospects, Gandhi—who featured in four Tests and three ODIs for India—suggested the young left-handed batter may be left out after failing to capitalize on his chances in England and at home, while backing an in-form Padikkal to get a fair run.
“In all fairness, Sai has had a fair run. He played in England and thereafter in India as well. Unfortunately, he didn’t grab those chances. So, I think he will probably have to sit out of this Test match. Padikkal has only played two Test matches, where he scored a half-century once. I think whoever is playing should be given a fair run—give him at least four or five Test matches to prove himself. It’s not an easy spot to bat, especially number three. It requires sound technique and temperament. Whoever they have identified, they need to give him a longer run,” he added.
On the evolution of Shubman Gill after taking over as India’s Test skipper last year, Gandhi was effusive in his praise. “There has been a steady growth as far as his captaincy is concerned. Since he took over, we know how well he took to captaincy as a batter, right? Scoring 700 runs on his first tour of England was very good.”
“I think that will help him a lot. Over the years, if you look at the way he was captaining in the IPL, there has been steady progress. He lends balance to the side and brings a calmness to the table, which I think is very important. It’s heartening to see the way he has been evolving as a captain and as a batsman.”
The inclusion of left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar in the Test squad has been a major talking point. Gandhi noted that all-round ability has become a key selection parameter, especially when planning for life after Ravindra Jadeja. “Yes, definitely. Jadeja has served for a very long time. But looking ahead, we are definitely looking for spinners. At the same time, it helps if you are able to bat. It lends a lot of balance to the side as you bat deep, providing an added comfort.”
On tall right-arm fast bowler Gurnoor Brar being included in the Test setup ahead of Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi—who picked up 60 wickets in a victorious Ranji Trophy campaign—Gandhi said physical attributes and an ‘X-factor’ sometimes tipped the scales. However, Gandhi felt Nabi would get his opportunities through the India A route, with the side scheduled to play two multi-day games in Galle, Sri Lanka.
“Sometimes there are certain players who can be fast-tracked if selectors feel that Gurnoor has a little bit of a spark. He has the height going for him, which is why he may have been preferred over Auqib. But I’m sure there are a lot of ‘A’ series ahead, and he can be part of those squads. Sometimes the selectors want to have a closer look at how a bowler performs in the nets. He will be groomed through the India A squad. Some players are fast-tracked while others take the staircase. That’s okay.”
He further suggested that a green wicket in Chandigarh could hand Brar his Test debut, helping selectors assess him ahead of the upcoming New Zealand series.
“If selectors feel he’s got an X-factor, they may fast-track him; you don’t want to delay it. I have a strong feeling that if the wicket is a little green, he might make his debut. That will be a good way to prepare for the New Zealand series as well,” Gandhi concluded, praiseful of India’s robust domestic feeder system that transitions talent from the Ranji Trophy up to the national squad.
