Sai Sudharsan has broken into India’s Test team. The 23-year-old has been in the selector’s mind for some time but couldn’t find a place due to tough competition. But Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirements meant that two spots were up for grabs and Sudharsan has found himself in the red-ball mix.
Compact, elegant, and easy on the eye. That’s how everyone would describe Sudharsan’s game. His record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is excellent. He’s found a consistency in T20s like not many have before. And that’s why one is shocked to see Sudharsan’s first-class record, which shows his average isn’t even 40.
Question over Test success in England
His former Tamil Nadu coach, Sulakshan Kulkarni, admits that his domestic record isn’t great. But that’s not all. Kulkarni, who’s played cricket in England during his career, reckons that Sudharsan’s technique against the moving ball isn’t all that great. And to succeed in England, he must work on it. The southpaw must also not poke and prod outside the off stump, advises the coach.
“When I was the coach, I saw him play on a seaming track in at least two matches. And he didn’t play well there. His technique against the moving ball needs to improve. He has a tendency of playing away from the body, while the secret of success in England is to play late and play the ball right under your nose. He has to curb some of his strokes and should play straight and close to the body. He has to work to get the technique right before the tour,” Kulkarni told the Times of India.
Sai Sudharsan’s progress
Now, Kulkarni only saw Sudharsan from close quarters until March 2024. Since then, the left-hander has scored a first-class hundred in seaming conditions (Australia) for India A and swinging conditions (England) for Surrey. He even scored a double hundred against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.
This doesn’t disprove what Kulkarni said. Test cricket will be a major step-up. But Sudharsan has shown that he’s got all the tools to handle the challenges that international red-ball cricket brings. And no one would be shocked to see him thrive in the India vs England Test series, if that happens.
Sai Sudharsan’s Country Cricket Stats
| Span | Inns | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | HS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2022-25 | 49 | 1957 | 39.93 | 7 | 5 | 123 |
| County Cricket | 2023-24 | 8 | 281 | 35.12 | 1 | 1 | 105 |
