Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Sai Sudharsan following the latter’s maiden Test fifty. Replacing Karun Nair at number 3 in the IND vs ENG 4th Test, the Tamil Nadu batter survived an early scare to post his first-ever half-century in the red-ball format. Ashwin dubbed Sudharsan as a mix of greats like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, who have also essayed the role of a number 3 batter in the past.
Ashwin lavishes praise on Sudharsan
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin claimed that Sudharsan displayed a kind of solidity that looked like a mix of Pujara and Dravid. He heaped praise on the number 3 batter for being able to negotiate through a tough phase and earning the right to score runs. However, Ashwin said that he was a bit disappointed with Sai since he couldn’t get to what would have been a well deserved century.
“We have seen Pujara and Dravid bat at No. 3. Sudharsan showed that sort of solidity. He was able to leave the ball; of course, the wicket was a good one, but he negotiated a tough phase. He earned the right to score those runs. I am a bit upset because I am a huge well-wisher of him. He could have scored a hundred. That guy has a big appetite for runs. He just missed out on a well-deserved hundred,” Ashwin said.
“Put Karun’s mindset in a block”
The former Indian cricketer came down hard on the Indian management for dropping Karun Nair after the first three Tests. Making his return to the Test side after over 7 years, the Karnataka batter managed to score only 131 runs in 6 innings. Ashwin claimed that Nair had never batted at number 3 and that the team management had put his mindset in a block by asking him to do so.
“Karun Nair has never played at No. 3. Now, by playing him at No. 3, you have put his mindset in a block. But credit to Sai Sudharsan because it is not easy being a youngster after getting dropped and with India 1-2 behind in the series to come into the fourth Test and respond the way he did,” Ashwin added.
