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India to Back Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 in Afghanistan Test, Padikkal Awaits Opportunity

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India to Back Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 in Afghanistan Test, Padikkal Awaits Opportunity

Reviewed byOjas Kale· Founder & Editor
Analysed 5 Jun 2026·25 sources analysed·Tamil Nadu, India·Sports
India to Back Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 in Afghanistan Test, Padikkal Awaits OpportunityPreviousNext

India's assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged the instability at the crucial No.3 Test batting position since Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement, emphasizing the need to back either Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal with a longer run. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Sudharsan will retain the spot for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, citing his strong IPL form and limited opportunities in Tests. Padikkal, despite impressive domestic performances, will await further chances. The team is also finalizing spin options ahead of the match.

TBN's observations

First-hand measurement across 15 sources

We measured how 15 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is positive (71/100). Lens Score 28/100 — low public interest.

Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):

  • zeenews— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • theprint— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • zeenews— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • hindustantimes— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
  • thestatesman— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • wion— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • news18— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • republicworld— balanced framing, positive sentiment
Political Bias
0%100%0%
Sentiment
71%
AI analysis of 15 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 5 Jun 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 25 sources
● Left 0%● Center 100%● Right 0%

The article group primarily reflects sports journalism perspectives focusing on team selection and performance without political framing. It includes views from team management and coaches emphasizing player development and strategic decisions. There is no evident political bias, as coverage centers on cricketing considerations and player form rather than political or ideological narratives.

Sentiment — Positive (71/100)

The overall tone across the articles is cautiously optimistic and constructive. While acknowledging past challenges in stabilizing the No.3 position, the coverage highlights confidence in Sudharsan's potential and form, as well as the management's intent to provide stability. The sentiment is balanced, avoiding undue criticism or praise, focusing instead on future opportunities and team preparation.

How 15 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

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SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
zeenewsSai Sudharsan's Tests record ahead of Afghanistan clash amid Gautam Gambhir's backing: Runs, fifties, highest score and key statsCenterPositive
theprintSai hasn't got a long run so, we will give him fair chance at No.3: GambhirCenterPositive
zeenewsNot Devdutt Padikkal! Gautam Gambhir backs Sai Sudharsan for No. 3 spot for Afghanistan Test: 'It's not about giving someone...'CenterPositive
hindustantimesDespite Gautam Gambhir's assurances, Sai Sudharsan under tremendous pressure to deliver against AfghanistanCenterNeutral
thestatesmanGambhir backs Sai Sudharsan for India's No. 3 spot: 'We will give him a longer rope'CenterPositive
wionIND vs AFG: Gautam Gambhir confirms Sai Sudharsan as India's no. 3 over Devdutt PadikkalCenterPositive
news18Gautam Gambhir Confirms India's No. 3 For Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'CenterPositive
republicworldGautam Gambhir Lays Out Sai Sudharsan's Batting Position Ahead Of Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'CenterPositive
englishIndia's Predicted XI For Afghanistan Test In Mullanpur: Sai vs Devdutt For No. 3CenterPositive
indianexpress'He had a phenomenal run in IPL': Gambhir says Sudharsan to remain No.3 in TestsCenterPositive
mintIndia vs Afghanistan: Gautam Gambhir confirms No.3 spot for Sai Sudharsan in one-off Test: 'Got to give him...' MintCenterPositive
news18Sai hasn't got a long run so, we will give him fair chance at No.3: GambhirCenterPositive
indiatvnewsSai Sudharsan set to get the nod at number three in Afghanistan Test, spinners to be tested in Mullanpur - India TV NewsCenterPositive
englishGautam Gambhir Finalises India's No. 3 Ahead Of Afghanistan TestCenterPositive
news18Gautam Gambhir Confirms India's No 3 For Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'CenterPositive

Coverage timeline

news18 broke this story on 5 Jun, 07:07 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    news185 Jun, 07:07 am
    Gautam Gambhir Confirms India's No 3 For Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'
  2. 2
    english5 Jun, 07:13 am
    Gautam Gambhir Finalises India's No. 3 Ahead Of Afghanistan Test
  3. 3
    indiatvnews5 Jun, 07:39 am
    Sai Sudharsan set to get the nod at number three in Afghanistan Test, spinners to be tested in Mullanpur - India TV News
  4. 4
    news185 Jun, 08:02 am
    Sai hasn't got a long run so, we will give him fair chance at No.3: Gambhir
  5. 5
    mint5 Jun, 09:32 am
    India vs Afghanistan: Gautam Gambhir confirms No.3 spot for Sai Sudharsan in one-off Test: 'Got to give him...' Mint
  6. 6
    indianexpress5 Jun, 09:45 am
    'He had a phenomenal run in IPL': Gambhir says Sudharsan to remain No.3 in Tests
  7. 7
    english5 Jun, 09:47 am
    India's Predicted XI For Afghanistan Test In Mullanpur: Sai vs Devdutt For No. 3
  8. 8
    republicworld5 Jun, 09:53 am
    Gautam Gambhir Lays Out Sai Sudharsan's Batting Position Ahead Of Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'
  9. 9
    news185 Jun, 09:58 am
    Gautam Gambhir Confirms India's No. 3 For Afghanistan Test: 'He Has Not Got A Fair Chance'
  10. 10
    wion5 Jun, 11:00 am
    IND vs AFG: Gautam Gambhir confirms Sai Sudharsan as India's no. 3 over Devdutt Padikkal

Lens Score breakdown

28/100
Public interest0/100
Coverage gap100%

Well-covered story — coverage matches public importance.

Story context

Category
Sports
Location
Tamil Nadu, India
Sources analysed
25
Last analysed
5 Jun 2026
Key entities
Test cricketIndiaEngland cricket teamAfghanistanSai SudharsanGautam GambhirDevdutt PadikkalBatting (cricket)Washington SundarSpin bowlingSri LankaCaptain (cricket)