India cricket team star Sai Sudharsan credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for his pep talk before the IND vs WI 2nd Test that allowed him to bounce back. After scoring just 7 runs in the 1st Test in Ahmedabad, there was immense pressure on the new number 3 batter to score well. Sudharsan, who went on to score 87 and 39 runs in the 2nd Test, revealed that Gambhir’s encouraging words during a net session had boosted his confidence, allowing him to play well in Delhi.
When Gambhir boosted Sudharsan’s confidence
Speaking to reporters ahead of the India A vs South Africa A 1st unofficial Test, Sudharsan said that Gambhir had told him that he was one of the best players in the country and that he wasn’t getting desperate. The Tamil Nadu batter said that the support from the team management has been impeccable, adding that the head coach had told him that he shouldn’t worry about his spot in the side even if he fails to score runs.
“After the first game in Ahmedabad, we were practicing at the Feroz Shah Kotla nets. As always, I was the last to come out of the nets. GG [Gambhir] sir called me and said, ‘You are not getting desperate. You are one of the best players in the country. So do not think about any of the other things. Don’t think that you have to score runs in this game or what will happen if you don’t.‘,” Sudharsan said.
Sudharsan will be seen in action next in the India A vs South Africa A 1st unofficial Test that begins on Thursday. He has been named vice-captain of the side and will be hoping to get more runs under his belt before the IND vs SA series in November.
