Gautam Gambhir Emphasizes Team Effort Ahead of Afghanistan Test

Ahead of India's Test match against Afghanistan, head coach Gautam Gambhir highlights the need for collective effort from players in the ICC World Test Championship. He confirms Sai Sudharsan's position at No. 3 and discusses the importance of selection decisions. Gambhir also emphasizes Rishabh Pant's natural playing style while acknowledging Afghanistan's challenge in tackling spin bowling. This match marks a significant opportunity for India to solidify their Test team dynamics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 05:31 IST

Focus on Team Performance in Upcoming Test

As India prepares for their Test match against Afghanistan, head coach Gautam Gambhir stressed the necessity for every player to exert maximum effort throughout the ICC World Test Championship cycle, regardless of their past accomplishments.

In anticipation of the Afghanistan match, which marks the inaugural Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra International Stadium in Mullanpur, Gambhir highlighted that each series will contribute significantly to the evolution of the Indian Test team, underscoring the importance of team results over individual accolades.

Selection decisions will be crucial in this context. With discussions surrounding the No. 3 batting position between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, Gambhir confirmed that Sudharsan will be given a more extended opportunity in this vital role.

Gambhir remarked, "Sai hasn’t had a fair opportunity yet. He has only participated in a few Tests, and starting his career in England, one of the toughest environments, is no small feat. He has excelled in the IPL, and we are committed to giving him a fair chance."

Currently, Sudharsan has played six Tests, accumulating 302 runs with an average of 27.45, while Padikkal has made two Test appearances in 2024.

Gambhir added, "We can only select 11 players, and sometimes, individuals must wait for their chance. Building a team requires allowing talented players to have a longer run. Sai is not out of form. If we judge players based on just four or five Tests, we will struggle to develop a strong team. I hope he gets his opportunity soon."

He also mentioned that when Padikkal's time arrives, he will receive a fair chance, but for now, it's essential to give Sai the opportunity as he is a world-class talent.

Gambhir discussed the strategy of including four spinners in the squad moving forward. He confirmed that Ravindra Jadeja, who is resting for the Afghanistan match, remains a key part of future plans alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, indicating the potential inclusion of Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey for this game.

He explained, "While they share similarities, there are also differences in their release points, which affect various factors. This Test match presents a unique opportunity to evaluate a potential long-term fourth spinner, especially with the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka where we may need to carry four spinners."

Gambhir also addressed Rishabh Pant's playing style, emphasizing that he should not alter his natural game. "We cannot ask players to change their inherent style, whether in Test, ODI, or T20 formats. The goal is to score runs and take wickets, but understanding the game situation is crucial. We expect Rishabh to play his natural game while being mindful of the match context," he stated.

On the other hand, Afghanistan aims to present a stronger challenge than their previous two-day defeat to India in 2018. Head coach Richard Pybus acknowledged that handling spin bowling will be a significant hurdle. "Spin will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the Test," Pybus noted.