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Deccan Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
Sudharsan makes it count with a touch of style
The Tamil Nadu batter, who was the star of this year's IPL by winning the Orange Cap for most runs (759) as well as the Emerging Player of the Season, had a forgettable start to his Test career in the series-opening game at Headingley.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'A deliberate attempt' - Former India wicketkeeper on Shubman Gill's outburst; backs Sai Sudharsan call
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan (Images via Gettty Images) Shubman Gill 's confrontational stance during the ongoing England Test series has triggered mixed reactions, but former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel believes the young captain's actions were well within limits. Lauding Gill's assertiveness, Patel said the skipper has shown encouraging signs of leadership and maturity. Gill made headlines during the Lord's Test when he exchanged words with England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who took over 90 seconds to take the field before the final two overs of day three. India had matched England's first-innings score of 387 and aimed to get in two overs before stumps, but were denied due to the delay. Gill later described the act as 'not in the spirit of the game.' Backing Gill's response, Patel said, 'No, it's not (surprising). We've seen him do this in the IPL too. This sport is about expressing emotions as long as you don't cross the line, and I don't think Shubman crossed the line at all.' He further pointed to the double standards around the "spirit of the game" narrative: 'It was clear how slowly the English batsmen were walking in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Teams like England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa often use the term 'spirit of the game' conveniently. So, there was nothing wrong with Gill asking the English media if it's okay to come to bat 90 seconds late. That was a deliberate attempt,' he added, as quoted by PTI. 'He was in a lot of pain': Sai Sudharsan admits Rishabh Pant's absence could hurt India Assessing Gill's captaincy, Patel said: 'This is new to him and he's improving. With Gujarat Titans, whatever I've observed about him, he's been very assertive. He knows what he wants. He's very clear with his plans and ideas... he is on the right path.' Switching to India's batting choices, Patel weighed in on Sai Sudharsan's return to the XI for the fourth Test. The left-hander scored a composed 61 after being dropped for Karun Nair in the second and third Tests. 'Despite good domestic seasons, Nair couldn't convert starts into big scores. Now India is backing a youngster, which is fine... Sai made the most of his opportunity with a fifty. Knowing him, he'd be disappointed not to have converted it into a hundred.' Poll Should India prioritize young players like Sai Sudharsan over experienced players? Yes, youth brings fresh energy No, experience is crucial On whether Sai could be a regular across formats, Patel said, 'The potential is immense. We've seen him bat with conviction in the IPL, winning the Orange Cap and striking at a high rate. He's shown promise in Test cricket too.' Patel also urged India to find space for Kuldeep Yadav in the XI. 'The team seems to prefer an extra batter, which is why Kuldeep isn't finding a place. But I believe India should find room for him to have four attacking bowlers,' argued the former wiicketkeeper-batsman. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
NDTV
24-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Grounded, Academic" B Sai Sudharsan Lauded For Excellent Test Fundamentals
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar hailed young left-hander Sai Sudharsan for his fine half-century on day one of fourth Manchester Test against England, saying that he seems like a Test player who is "grounded, academic type and prepares diligently." Following scores of 0 and 30 in the first Test and his consequent omission from next two matches in favour of Karun Nair, Sudharsan established his claim as India's next number three with a technically solid 61 in 151 balls, consisting of seven fours. Speaking on his knock, JioStar expert Manjrekar said on 'Match Centre Live' said that Sudharsan looked nervous initially, which was expected after a disappointing debut and subsequent omission from next two Tests. "But as the innings progressed, his composure returned. He has an organised game, and even though he has made his mark in T20s, the way he scores reflects the fundamentals you need in Tests. These were tough conditions to bat at number three after being asked to bat first. He got some hard-earned runs, and more importantly, he seems like someone who would not get carried away by one good outing -- a grounded, academic type who prepares diligently. That is the kind of player who builds a long Test career," he added. Sudarshan's maiden half-century was the first by an Indian number three outside India since December 2022. The last fifty was scored by right-hand batter Cheteshwar Pujara (90 and 102), which came against Bangladesh in the first Test of the series at Chattogram. This 50-run knock was the first by an Indian number three outside Asia since January 2022. The last one came from Pujara hitting 53 against South Africa at Johannesburg back in January 2022. Sudharsan was coming into the tour after winning the Orange Cap for Gujarat Titans (GT) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) season which saw them reach playoffs. In 15 matches, he made 759 runs at an average of 54.21, striking at above 156, with a century and six fifties to his name. Sudharsan had before played a T20I for India, not getting to bat. He made his international debut against South Africa during an ODI series in 2023, scoring a half-century on debut. In the series, he made 127 runs in three matches, with two fifties and best score of 62. So far in first-class cricket, he has made 1987 runs in 30 matches and 51 innings at an average of 38.96, with seven centuries and five fifties. His best score is 213. Team India ended day one at 264/4, with Shardul Thakur (19*) and Ravindra Jadeja (16*). Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt at 37 due to a foot injury, was a massive blow to India. Half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan (61 in 151 balls, with seven fours) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 in 107 balls, with 10 fours and a six) served as the biggest contributions of the day. Skipper Stokes (2/47) stood as the pick of the bowlers, removing skipper Shubman Gill and Sudharsan.
India Today
24-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Sai Sudharsan shows promise, but needs to solve his leg-side Achilles heel
We all know the story of the mighty Achilles. The Greek mythology character was known as one of the bravest and strongest warriors, seemingly unstoppable and without weaknesses. As the story goes, his mother, Thetis, decided to make Achilles immortal by dipping him in the River Styx. However, she held him by the heel, leaving that one spot eventually, became his downfall. Paris, guided by Apollo, struck an arrow to his heel and ended the life of the invincible when you look at how Sai Sudharsan has burst onto the Indian cricket scene, there seem to be some parallels with that of a brave warrior. Despite not having the most impressive first-class record — 1987 runs from 30 matches — it was in the IPL that the Tamil Nadu batter made a name for himself. Not known to be a big-hitter or slogger, the 23-year-old relied on timing and elegant strokeplay to make his mark. The IPL 2025 season showcased the best of Sudharsan, as he amassed 759 runs in 15 matches and walked away with the Orange Cap. Before this, he impressed on the India A tour to Australia, scoring a hundred in one of the unofficial Tests — triggering louder calls for his inclusion in the Test Read: Manchester Test: India's gritty start undone after nasty injury to Rishabh PantThen came the moment Sudharsan and everyone had been waiting for. He was brought in as the new No.3 for India in the Headingley Test. And in the most anti-climactic fashion, the southpaw was dismissed for a duck in his first-ever Test innings. It wasn't an unplayable delivery — just a harmless ball down the leg side, which he he managed 30 in the second innings, the Tamil Nadu batter was dropped and had to wait until the Manchester Test for another chance. England, however, had found a plan — they kept targeting him with short-pitched deliveries and balls down the leg side, which seemed to bring about his vs ENG, 4th Test: Day 1 UpdatesFor someone of Sudharsan's immense talent, this appears to be his Achilles heel — a weakness that he must address. The youngster himself spoke about it after the day's play and, with a smile, admitted:"The honest answer would be I didn't know how I edged it down the leg. But yeah, this England team, we know they are trying to do it quite often to a lot of batters and probably even this side as well. Even wide outside, they give a half-volley to make us drive, or down the leg, they will try to make us commit a mistake."advertisement"I was a bit aware when coming into this game, but it helped," said said, this takes nothing away from the innings the 23-year-old played. He produced a sublime knock full of elegant moments and exquisite shots. His 61 off 151 balls was a masterclass and a reminder of why he belongs at this once again, it was one pull shot too many that led to his dismissal — Ben Stokes got the better of what does Sudharsan need to do?Curb your natural tendencyTest cricket often demands restraint — unless you're Rishabh Pant, most players need to hold back and play each ball on merit. Sudharsan is naturally an attacking player, though his calm demeanour might mask that so far in his Test dismissals, Sudharsan has looked a little too eager to get runs, resulting in soft dismissals. Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking to broadcasters, pointed out how the pull shot seems like a compulsory stroke for Sudharsan — something he'll need to resist, especially in overseas a negative part is that he plays that full shot compulsorily sometimes. I mean, he has been leaving the ball, he will have to realise that, in overseas conditions, that's a risky shot. It's his scoring opportunity, but when to play and when not to play. Look at the situation the team is in, and that's when you make that decision. It is an instinctive shot, but sometimes you need to curb your instincts, and he has been able to do that. So there are more positives for him because he has got runs now, he has been defending well, and he has been leaving the ball well. So there are more positives when you spend enough time at the crease.""This is the shot which we has to work a bit more because England team is quite used to using that strategy of short pitch deliveries and that's where he will have to improve. He realised that he shouldn't have done that. He should have been under a bit more control, and that's the shot which you can't control all the time. So when do you play that and when you don't need to, that's, that is something that you have to learn," said Sudharsan attempts to pull Ben Stokes but is cramped for room and top-edges to Brydon Carse at long leg.235-4 England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 23, 2025advertisementSudharsan Shows PromiseAs mentioned earlier, despite this one flaw, Sudharsan has immense promise. Pujara noted how well he left the ball and how calm and composed he looked at the crease — all good signs for someone batting at No.3 for was especially impressed by the way Sudharsan handled pressure — a critical trait for a long-term Test batter."I've seen him in first-class cricket. That's how he bats. He is an attacking player, but today he was taking the right balls to hit. He runs well within the wicket. That is a big positive for him, but the way he drives, the way he plays his shots, which was very impressive to see.""But at the same time handling that pressure because when you just played one Test match and then you are getting an opportunity to bat again in English conditions, that's the toughest time. Because even if you are playing on a flat pitch, and he wasn't playing on a flat pitch, but even if you're playing on a flat pitch, then that pressure is always building on you. But he has shown that he can handle the pressure. He can stay composed and he was batting like how he bats in first-class cricket. That's a big positive," said for Sudharsan, the talent and skill are there for everyone to see. The only concern is that small flaw — the figurative Achilles heel. One that must be corrected quickly, before oppositions start aiming for it every single time.- EndsMust Watch
News18
23-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
India Asked To Explain Sai Sudharsan's Fault As Karun Nair's 'Technical Weakness' Exposed
Karun Nair has so far not been able to justify the Test recall in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Former India batter and popular commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu claims that Karun Nair's technical weakness has been exposed following a series of below par scores with the bat so far in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Nair, who returned to the Test fold on the back of strong domestic performances, hasn't been able to justify the recall having managed 131 runs from six innings at an average of 21.83. Nair made a stunning start to his Test career, scoring a triple-century in what was the third match of his international career before quickly falling off the selector's radar. Productive outings in domestic circuit and the retirements of two India stalwarts in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opened the doors for a second chance but so far, the returns haven't met expectations. 'Karun Nair has played three Test matches and he's a very talented cricketer. However, his technical weakness has been exposed," Sidhu said on his YouTube channel. Sidhu then indicated that India have not done justice to young batter Sai Sudharsan's talent by giving him just one Test to prove his worth. The top-order batter made his debut in the series opener in Leeds but after recording 0 and 30 in his first two innings, has been consigned to the benches. 'The big question is whether you will go to win tomorrow (Wednesday) or to build a team? I think it's for the win and when you think of winning, I think what is the fault of Sai Sudharsan?" Sidhu said. 'You have one of the most talented India cricketers. He on Orange Cap in IPL. There's no link between IPL and Test cricket, but he has the form. Technically one of the soundest (batters), low gravity batsman. His eye-hand coordination, head always above toe plus he's a left-hander. So why shouldn't he be in the team?" he added. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, changes are expected with the tourists fighting to remain alive. As per reports, Sudharsan is expected to return while Nair may be dropped for the 4th Test in Manchester. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
