Read Bengali: পন্থ নন কেন রাহুল সহ-অধিনায়ক? অবশেষে কারণ জানালেন গম্ভীর

Speaking to reporters ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team, Gambhir made it clear that performance for the country matters more than leadership positions. His comments also hinted strongly that the team management currently sees Sai Sudharsan as a leading option for the crucial No. 3 batting slot.

Pant Removed, Rahul Gets Leadership Role

When India announced the squad for the Afghanistan Test, many were surprised to see Pant no longer serving as vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill. Instead, the role was handed to the experienced KL Rahul.

The move immediately sparked debate within the cricket fraternity. Several experts and fans questioned whether Pant’s recent performances had influenced the decision.

India’s disappointing Test series against South Africa had already brought criticism toward Pant’s batting approach. Many former cricketers felt his overly aggressive style in key situations hurt the team at important moments.

Gambhir Defends Pant’s Style

However, Gambhir downplayed the controversy and insisted that leadership titles should not define a player’s value.

According to him, the biggest responsibility for any cricketer is to contribute to the team’s success while representing the country. He stressed that players, coaches and support staff are ultimately judged by performances on the field.

Gambhir also clarified that the Indian team does not want Pant to completely change his natural attacking game.

He described aggression as one of Pant’s greatest strengths but added that international cricket also demands game awareness and maturity. Knowing when to attack and when to remain patient is equally important at the highest level.

The India coach said successful cricketers must understand match situations, team requirements and opposition strengths before deciding their approach.

Sai Sudharsan Emerging as Preferred No. 3

Apart from the vice-captaincy discussion, Gambhir’s comments also generated fresh interest around India’s batting order.

The biggest question remains who will bat at No. 3 against Afghanistan.

From Gambhir’s statements, it appears the team management wants to continue backing Sai Sudharsan. The coach believes the young batter has not yet received enough opportunities at the international level to fully showcase his talent.

Gambhir also suggested that judging a player based on only a handful of matches would be unfair.

Sudharsan’s consistent performances in domestic cricket and franchise tournaments over the past season have reportedly impressed both selectors and the coaching staff.

Devdutt Padikkal Also In Contention

Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal has also remained in strong form and continues to push his case with regular runs in domestic cricket.

Still, Gambhir’s latest remarks indicate that Sai Sudharsan currently holds a slight advantage in the race for the No. 3 position ahead of the Afghanistan Test.

With India preparing for another important red-ball assignment, interest around the team’s final playing XI has now increased even further.

কুলদীপ ঝলকে থমকাল দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা! পন্থের নেতৃত্বে ঘুরে দাঁড়াল ভারত

South Africa finished the day at 247/6. Just as they were approaching 250, India’s bowlers tightened the screws and slowed the Proteas’ progress. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with 49, while skipper Temba Bavuma contributed 41.

After the Eden Gardens defeat, India made two changes due to injuries: Shubman Gill and Axar Patel were ruled out. Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy came into the side. Most notably, Rishabh Pant made his debut as India’s Test captain.

In the morning session, some early swing troubled Markram and Rickelton as they faced Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Markram survived a dropped catch but was eventually bowled by Bumrah. India’s second breakthrough came just before lunch—Kuldeep dismissed Rickelton, with captain Pant taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.

However, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled, often losing his line and length, which piled additional pressure on Pant and the bowlers. Meanwhile, Stubbs and Bavuma settled in and built a steady partnership. Ravindra Jadeja was introduced late, but the move paid off—Yashasvi Jaiswal pouched a brilliant diving catch to remove Bavuma.

Kuldeep Yadav struck again to dismiss Stubbs for 49, with KL Rahul safely taking the catch at slip. Siraj then removed Tony de Zorzi (28) with the new ball just before bad light, as the batter edged to Pant.

At stumps, Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne remained unbeaten at the crease.

চোট কাটিয়ে ফিরেলেন এই দুই তারকা, আগকরের সঙ্গে বিতর্কে জড়িয়ে নেই শামি!

Rishabh Returns, Akashdeep Gets Opportunity

After getting injured in the fourth Test of the England tour, Rishabh Pant returns to the Indian team after 95 days. Though he failed in the first innings, he scored 90 runs in the second innings, proving his fitness and batting ability. In light of this, selectors have brought him back for the South Africa series. Compared to the West Indies series, there has been only one change: Akashdeep replaces Prasidh Krishna, while Narayan Jagadeesan has been dropped.

Shami and Easwaran’s Uncertain Future

Despite not taking wickets against Tripura in the Ranji Trophy, Shami had picked up 15 wickets in the first two matches. Still, the national selectors have not considered him. Ajit Agarkar and others’ approach suggests that Shami may not get opportunities even at home, and he also seems unlikely to be included in the white-ball setup.

Abhimanyu Easwaran has also not been included in the Indian Test squad. With Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul opening, and Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel in the middle order, the selectors have not looked his way. The team composition includes three spinner-allrounders, one pace-allrounder, one specialist spinner, and three specialist pacers, ensuring a balanced bowling attack.

Team Announcement:

Presenting #TeamIndia‘s squad for the Test series against South Africa #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Ca2ccy4KK5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025

Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akashdeep.

Series Schedule:

1st Test: 14 November, Eden Gardens, Kolkata

2nd Test: 22 November, Guwahati

The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans in India, especially with Rishabh Pant’s comeback and Akashdeep’s inclusion, which adds a new dimension to India’s middle order and bowling attack. However, the absence of Shami and Easwaran is being seen as a challenge for the team.