Mullanpur, India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged that the team has tried several players at number three since Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement, and now it is time to give either Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal a long run at this crucial batting position.
There’s been lot of changes in that spot and that is not ideal. Devdutt Padikkal comes with ton of runs and Sai Sudharsan had a good IPL. We want to take a decision and trust that person to grow into that role: Ten Doeschate on India’s unsettled number three spot
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News)
Pujara announced his retirement in 2025, but his last Test match for India was the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023. Since then, Shubman Gill, Padikkal, Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Washington Sundar have all been tried at this position. Sudharsan has played six Test matches but has not performed as expected, averaging just over 27.
Sudharsan and Padikkal stake their claim for selection in the nets
Doeschate told reporters on Thursday, “A lot of batsmen have been tried at that number, which is not ideal. We need to consider the contenders for that number and stick with one for a long time.” Both Sudharsan and Padikkal have practiced extensively in the nets, but Doeschate did not reveal which of them will get the opportunity. Even observing slip fielding did not make it clear which player would be chosen. Padikkal was seen standing in the slips alongside KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill. After Rahul went to the nets, Sudharsan took his place in the slips to practice catching.
During net practice, Sudharsan again lost control of his bat, which slipped from his hands and flew behind him. In the IPL, he was dismissed hit-wicket twice in this manner. Doeschate said, “This is a very difficult but important position in the batting order. Dev has come with tons of runs in all formats in domestic cricket, and Sai has also performed brilliantly for Gujarat in the IPL. So both are in good form.”
Reaching the WTC final is Team India’s top priority
Doeschate said, “Whichever batsman is chosen for this number, we will have to trust him. Right now we have one Test match to play, and then no Test matches for two months. After that, there are two Test matches, and then no matches for some time. This makes the situation difficult, and we have to keep that in mind.” There was also discussion about managing the workload of fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, but Doeschate said he is fully fit. He added, “Siraj bowled yesterday; he looked absolutely fine.” Doeschate also said that either Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey will play as the third spinner alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.
Doeschate said, “The chances of both playing in the Test match are very low. We haven’t finalized the final eleven yet, but I think Kuldeep and Washington will play, and one of those two will play.” Doeschate stated that the potential combination is being considered with the World Test Championship in mind. He said, “In the current WTC cycle, nine important Test matches will be played, and this is our last chance to reach the final, which is our top priority right now.”
