Before the one-off Test against Afghanistan at Mullanpur, India’s head coach spoke of providing extended opportunities to number three batsman Sai Sudharsan. In his previous six Tests, Sudharsan had accumulated 307 runs at an average of 27.45 across 11 innings. On Saturday he scored 81 to register his third Test half-century. Sudharsan said the coach’s support creates mental certainty and freedom, allowing him to focus on performance rather than selection concerns. After opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 24, Sudharsan joined KL Rahul and added 139 runs for the second wicket. He scored 81 off 104 balls before being dismissed, while Rahul contributed 56 off 81 deliveries in the stand. Sudharsan noted that Rahul offered composure and useful observations about pitch behaviour and scoring options against spin. Afghanistan bowled to a leg-side plan similar to one used by England last year. Sudharsan said he had worked on counter-measures during practice sessions in Chennai and adjusted his approach to play the ball on merit rather than pre-empting the field.
