Sai Sudharsan, practising ahead of the second and final Test against West Indies in New Delhi on Wednesday, will look to grab the chance that comes his way despite middling returns.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Ahmedabad: India’s dominant innings-and-140-run victory over West Indies in the first Test may have brought plenty of smiles in the dressing room, but for B. Sai Sudharsan, it was a bittersweet outing. While the team wrapped up the game inside three days, the young left-hander from Tamil Nadu was left pondering a missed opportunity to make a significant mark with the bat.
Sai Sudharsan managed just seven runs in the first innings before falling leg-before to Roston Chase, playing back to a delivery that didn’t deserve such treatment. In an innings where almost every batter got a start, his brief stay at the crease stood out as an outlier.
When Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for 36, the stage seemed set for Sudharsan, batting at No. 3, to capitalise and convert the platform into a big score. Instead, a moment of misjudgment cost him dearly. Umpire Richard Illingworth’s finger went up, and with it, the 23-year-old’s chance to settle into rhythm vanished.
After four Tests, Sai Sudharsan’s returns now read 147 runs in seven innings, with just one half-century to show. His tour of England earlier this year showcased technical promise but also highlighted an inability to convert starts, especially on docile pitches. A first-ball duck caught down the leg side in that series appeared to make him wary of the same line thereafter.
Despite his modest numbers, the team management continues to back the youngster, recognizing his potential and composure. His selection over Karun Nair after the England tour underscores the long-term investment India is making in his development. However, with Devdutt Padikkal waiting patiently in the squad, the pressure is mounting.
The upcoming second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, starting Friday, offers Sai Sudharsan an ideal chance to silence critics and convert promise into performance. For India, the focus remains collective dominance — but for Sudharsan, it could be the match that defines his early Test career.
Published – October 09, 2025 02:00 am IST
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