Gambhir’s pitch talk with curator sparks curiosity as India mull Sudharsan at No. 3 for Kolkata Test

As India gear up for the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata on Friday, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s detailed pitch inspection and chat with Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee have drawn attention — particularly amid speculation over India’s batting order.

The Test squad regrouped in the city over the weekend, with regulars joining straight from the T20I series in Australia. Captain Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Nitish Kumar Reddy all took part in an optional training session on Tuesday.

Gambhir was the first to arrive at the venue, heading straight to the centre square alongside batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel. The trio closely examined the surface for nearly ten minutes before Gambhir engaged in an extended discussion with Mukherjee.

Meanwhile, Gill, Jaiswal, and Sudharsan began their batting drills in the nets. Sudharsan, who has faced mounting scrutiny over his form, had a long throwdown session before Gambhir joined him at the centre wicket — a clear signal that the management is likely to persist with the left-hander at No. 3 in the upcoming Test.

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Despite chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s assurance that Sudharsan would be given a consistent run at the position, the youngster has managed only 273 runs in nine innings since his debut, averaging 30.33 with two half-centuries.

The growing competition from Dhruv Jurel, who has been in sensational form with a maiden Test ton in the West Indies and consecutive unbeaten centuries for India A against South Africa A, has intensified the pressure on both Sudharsan and the team management.

Gill, who led the nets session, batted for nearly two hours, first taking throwdowns and then facing the pacers. Jaiswal, fresh from a Ranji Trophy hundred, alternated between pace and spin, working against Jadeja and Sundar under Gambhir’s supervision.

Bumrah, returning from a short break, bowled lightly after a warm-up and short run-up session. Though he sported strapping on his right knee, the ace pacer later returned for a controlled spell of spot bowling, monitored by Morkel and Gambhir.