Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal urged to step up and fix India’s No. 3 batting conundrum: 'We could have done better'

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged that it was time for batters Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal to step up and take charge of the number three batting position in the Men in Blue's Test line-up.

The number three batting position has remained unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara, who last appeared for India in the 2023 WTC final and eventually retired in August 2025. Several players, including Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Sudharsan, and Padikkal, were given opportunities to establish themselves in the role.

IND coach puts spotlight on Sudharsan and Padikkal to fix No. 3 puzzle

Speaking at the IND vs AFG pre‑game press conference in Mullanpur, ten Doeschate emphasised that frequent changes at the number three spot are not ideal and stressed the need for the team to back a consistent batter in that role.

"There's been a lot of changes in that spot, and that's not ideal, you know. You need to look at the incumbents for that role and maybe stick with someone," Ten Doeschate said at a press conference on Thursday.

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While both Sudharsan and Padikkal have been getting long rope at nets, Ten Doeschate didn't want to spill the beans about the one who would make it.

On the day, during slip formation, Padikkal was seen standing alongside KL Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill. After Rahul went to the nets, Sudharsan came in.

During nets, Sudharsan once again lost the grip on his bat, which slipped and flew backwards, like it happened in IPL twice.

"It's a difficult position to bat in and a very important position to bat. Dev comes in with a ton of runs in domestic cricket across all the formats, and obviously Sai's been high on runs in IPL with Gujarat, so they're both in good form.

"Whoever plays, they'll be given a bit of a run. That's quite difficult with one Test match now, and then we don't play a Test match for another two months, and then we play two Test matches, and then you don't play for a while. So, you know, we need to factor that in," Ten Doeschate said, citing a practical problem.

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However, he maintained that one needs to quickly decide and continue with the person of choice.

"The main point around there is we want to make a decision and then trust that person to grow into the role, and ideally quickly. Where we find ourselves in the WTC table? It's probably something we could have done better leading up to this is maybe backing someone in a different spot."

While there were reports about Mohammed Siraj's workload management, the Hyderabad fast bowler looked in fine rhythm at the nets.

"Siraj bowled yesterday, he looked absolutely fine."

Suthar vs Dubey? Keep guessing

If one goes purely by net performance, Manav Suthar looks a way more crafty bowler compared to Harsh Dubey, but the Vidarbha slow left-arm orthodox's better batting skills could get him a maiden Test cap.

Suthar is no mug with the bat, having a first-class ton under his belt.

Ten Doeschate said only one among Suthar and Dubey will play alongside Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.

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"The chance of both of them playing in the Test are probably pretty small. We haven't finalised the combination, but I imagine Kuldeep will play, and Washington will play, and then one of those two will play," Ten Doeschate said.

The combination is being looked keeping the WTC games in mind.

"I would imagine we play two seamers and a spinning all-rounder, and two spinners (spin-all-rounders) if you consider that the two guys we brought in can bat a little bit as well." "It's going to be nine crucial Test matches in the in the WTC cycle, and sort of our last chance of making that final, which is top of priority at the moment."

With PTI Inputs