Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed India to retain Sai Sudharsan as their number three Test batter for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan ahead of Devdutt Padikkal. Both left-handers were in prime form in the recently concluded IPL, and it would be interesting to note the team’s decision.

While Padikkal scored 464 runs in 15 innings of IPL 2026 at an average of 33.14 and a strike rate of 168.72, Sudharsan amassed 722 runs in 17 matches at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 163.02.

“I feel you should play Sai. You played Sai at No. 3 in the last Test match. I do know that Devdutt Padikkal is coming with great form. Their forms were equal in the IPL, but if we see before that, Devdutt Padikkal’s first-class form was outstanding. He had an average of 90 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and an average of over 50 even in the Ranji Trophy. So he is coming after scoring runs, and it seems like you should go towards him,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra highlighted that neither Sudharsan nor Padikkal will get prepared for the number three role if they don’t get a long rope.

“However, how will a player get ready if you keep doing like that? You played Sai against the West Indies. He scored runs in the last match, and then you dropped him immediately for the next match. Then you played him a match. Sai won’t get ready if you drop him again. Even Devdutt won’t get ready if you keep playing the game of musical chairs like this. So you will have to stick with Sai Sudharsan for now,” he observed.

Speaking on Gurnoor Brar’s selection in India’s Test team, Chopra said the selectors must have been looking for a bowler with good bounce and pace.

“I don’t know. I think the Indian selection committee was probably looking for extra bounce and pace, and that’s why they have taken Gurnoor Brar. He has performed well in domestic cricket, but his domestic performance is not as good as Auqib’s,” he responded.