India head into the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on August 15 with a key question still unanswered in their batting order. The No. 3 slot is vacant after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series with a foot injury, forcing the selectors to bring Sarfaraz Khan back into the squad.
With the Indian skipper Shubman Gill set to bat at number four with Yashasvi Jaiswal being the designated opener alongside vice-captain KL Rahul, the middle of the order needs a settled presence at number three in the absence of the injured Sai Sudharsan, someone who had taken up the role since the England tour in 2025.
Here are three players from India's Test squad who could fill the number 3 role in the series:
3. Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan was brought back into India's Test squad specifically because Sudharsan failed to recover from a right-toe stress reaction. He is a recognised middle-order batter with Test experience and has the temperament to handle pressure situations. He has a stellar first-class average of 64.73 while having scored three fifties and one century in six Tests, averaging 37.10 in the India whites.
While Sarfaraz has typically batted lower in the order, his return to the squad means he is available for selection at any position the team management chooses. His inclusion gives India an extra batting option and the flexibility to push him up the order if needed.
2. Dhruv Jurel
Dhruv Jurel is already an established part of India's Test set-up and has shown the ability to bat in the top order when the situation demands. He has scored 478 runs in his Test career, including one century and one half-century, and has filled in as a spare batter when other players have been absent from the XI.
His experience within the current Test environment makes him a credible option if the team management opts for a more familiar name at No. 3. Jurel's adaptability across different batting positions adds to his case, particularly in conditions like Galle where the pitch tends to assist spin from early on. His presence in the squad gives the team flexibility in how they construct the top order for this series.
1. Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal is the most discussed candidate for the No. 3 position ahead of the Galle Test. The left-handed batter scored an unbeaten 142 off 164 deliveries in the warm-up game at the Nondescripts Cricket Ground in Colombo, hitting 18 boundaries and helping India reach 357/8 against Sri Lanka Cricket XI. He walked in early after Jaiswal fell for a second-ball duck, making the innings all the more significant.
Padikkal had also scored 543 runs in six Ranji Trophy matches this season at an average of 60.33, batting at No. 3. He recorded two centuries in the season, which included a mammoth 232 against Uttarakhand in the semi-final. His domestic form is a testament to his adaptability to the role.