Will Devdutt Padikkal play in IND vs AFG one-off test? Gautam Gambhir reveals
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
India to host Afghanistan in a one-off red-ball encounter.
India are set to play a Test match against Afghanistan for the second time. The one-off Test is scheduled to start on June 6 and will be played in New Chandigarh. Three new faces have joined the Indian Test team: Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey.
Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal, who was last part of the Indian setup in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has made his return.
Currently, India are ranked sixth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points table. Shubman Gill & Co. are returning to red-ball cricket after an away tour of England and hosting the West Indies and Proteas at home in 2025.
With the return of Devdutt Padikkal to the Test side and Sai Sudharsan already a part of the squad, fans wondered who would get the nod for the No. 3 position.
Gautam Gambhir ends the debate with the big reveal
While Devdutt joins the team after a stellar domestic season and being part of the IPL-winning team, Sai Sudharsan has been associated with the Indian Test side since the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Padikkal had a stellar domestic season in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, scoring 532 runs at an average of 66.5 and leading the Karnataka team to the final. He also had a blazing outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring more than 700 runs at an average above 90.
Sai Sudharsan has played six Tests for India so far, making his Test debut in the 2025 series against England. He has scored more than 300 runs, with his highest being 87.
Speaking to the press ahead of the match against Afghanistan, Gautam Gambhir revealed that Sudharsan has not been given proper opportunities so far. He played in the English conditions. He confirmed that they intend to give Sai a long rope at that position.
Meanwhile, talking about Padikkal, Gambhir ensured that, “Padikkal will get his chance. Whenever his time comes, we will give him a fair run as well.”
India have struggled to find a steady No. 3 in Tests for the past couple of years. They have tried three different batsmen in that position since the England series. The tryouts at the position showcase the uncertainty.
India have played 9 matches so far. They have won four, lost four and drawn one match. With this, India are placed sixth in the points table.
Nine more fixtures are upcoming for the team, including away tours to New Zealand and Sri Lanka in 2026, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home in 2027.
Who will play at No. 3 for India in the Test against Afghanistan?
Sai Sudharsan is set to play at No. 3 for India in the Test against Afghanistan.
When will the IND vs AFG Test start?
India vs Afghanistan one-off Test is scheduled to start on June 6.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.