IND vs AFG 2026: Why Devdutt Padikkal Missed Out on One-Off Test

India are in Test mode against Afghanistan in the only red-ball match starting from June 6, 2026. The match is being played at the newly built Maharaja Yadvinder Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Shubman Gill, who is leading the young Indian team, won the toss and elected to bat first. Although there are no World Test Championship points in this match, it is being considered an important checkpoint for a team in transition. After a 0-2 series defeat in South Africa late last year, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management are using the test to decide combinations and identify stable roles ahead of the tours of Sri Lanka and Australia.

No WTC Pressure, but High Strategic Value

Afghanistan is not part of the nine-team WTC cycle. So whether India wins, loses or draws, it does not help them move up the championship ladder. The ICC does not allow a one-off Test to be part of the WTC race in any way. A proper WTC series should be at least two matches long.

Even without the WTC implications, the competition is being seen as a key opportunity to test long-term options internally in team balance and red-ball setups. The focus is mainly on batting positions and whether India can consistently lock in the top order going forward.

Devdutt Padikkal Left Out of Playing XI

One of the main selection issues discussed before the match was that of No. 3, with Devdutt Padikkal losing his place in the final XI. The Karnataka left-handed batsman was a contender but lost out due to a strategic decision by the team management, who chose to stick with B Sai Sudarshan at No. 3.

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Management backs stability at No. 3

Padikkal’s omission is believed to be part of a broader plan to avoid frequent changes in key batting positions. The Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff wants to keep the current option playing for a longer period rather than rotating players too quickly.

Despite his strong domestic performances, Padikkal had to wait for an opportunity. He scored 543 runs at an average of 60.33 in the Ranji Trophy, including 232 in the semi-finals.

Sudharsan Preferred After Strong Run

Meanwhile, B Sai Sudarshan has been backed after an impressive performance in the IPL season, in which he scored over 700 runs. The management believes that long-term support will help him settle into the difficult role of No. 3 at Test level.

Gambhir has also stressed that the selection cannot be based solely on short-term performances, as consistency and long-term planning are being prioritised in the current transition phase. As an inevitable result, despite very strong domestic form, Padikkal remains on the bench for this upcoming Test, still waiting for his next opportunity in the Test format.

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