Sai Sudharsan has accumulated 147 runs in seven innings so far, including a single half-century, as he continues to strive for consistency and make a mark in India’s middle order.
Sai Sudharsan Backed by India Despite Early Test Struggles
India batter Sai Sudharsan was subtly served a warning amid a shaky start to his Test career, as the left-hander was reminded of what Karun Nair experienced in just one tour. However, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate, speaking to the press on Wednesday ahead of the second and final Test against the West Indies, confirmed that Sai Sudharsan has the full backing of India captain Shubman Gill.
Sai Sudharsan has yet to make a significant impact as a top-order batter, scoring just 147 runs in seven innings, including only one fifty. Despite mixed performances on the England tour, the selectors decided to retain him. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized that the management has high expectations for the Tamil Nadu batter and is giving him more time to prove his abilities.
Sudharsan, however, struggled in the first Test against the West Indies, scoring just seven runs. “I am sure he does feel like he’s got our backing, like he’s got the captain’s backing and the coaching staff’s backing. And we feel he’ll deliver on his promise very soon,” Ten Doeschate said, offering words of encouragement to the under-pressure youngster.
Ten Doeschate Highlights Competition Ahead for India’s Middle Order
Ten Doeschate, however, warned Sai Sudharsan that Dhruv Jurel could be pushed up the order when Rishabh Pant returns for India’s home Test series against South Africa later this year. The caution comes after Jurel’s impressive performances, including 125 runs in the Ahmedabad Test and 197 runs in three innings for India A against Australia A last month, featuring a century and a fifty.
“I’d imagine it does. You know, I think we’ve shown last week just what a good player he is. We’ve known that all along. Sometimes he’s got to fit into the middle order,” Ten Doeschate said ahead of the second Test against West Indies in Delhi. “And, in addition to that, there are other good players who are fighting for top three or top four spots. Shubman got number four done for now.
“So Sai is aware of that. Look, I don’t think you pursue a career of playing cricket in India if you don’t expect that sort of competition. That’s quite impossible and we know it is tough enough to deal with that. Like I say, he’s got to go out there and score the runs we think he’s worthy of getting,” Ten Doeschate added.
The India coach also emphasized that Sudharsan understands the stakes, citing Karun Nair’s fate after a poor England tour. “I think he’s under no illusion and he can’t hide away from the fact that you do fight for a spot in this environment. You know, you saw Karun Nair get four Test matches in England. There are a lot of good players sort of fighting at the heels of whoever has possession of that spot. So Sai just needs to focus on believing in himself. We’ve obviously got a lot of belief in him to give him that number three spot.”