Get ready for left-handed Sai Sudharsan’s symphony in Test cricket

By K.R. Nayar 

Sai Sudharsan has bulldozed his way into India’s Test team through sterling performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL)—or would it be better to say that the IPL has gifted yet another gem to Team India?  Just 23 years old, but he possesses a repertoire of strokes that makes everyone watch him with admiration. The IPL provided a grand stage not just to showcase his batting skills, but also his mental toughness against some of the best bowlers in the world.

Sai Sudharshan's timely shot. Photos BCCI/IPL 

A closer look at his upbringing reveals that his success in the IPL, and now his call-up to the national Test squad, is no surprise. He hails from a sporting family—his father, Bharadwaj, represented India in athletics at the South Asian Games in Dhaka, while his mother was a state-level volleyball player. Sai has spoken about how their support helped him train with intensity and focus. His mother apparently used to show him videos of Virat Kohli’s rigorous training routines to inspire him. When sports runs in your blood, all that's needed is determination and relentless hard work to excel.

Sudharsan has excelled wherever he played—be it for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, Gujarat Titans in the IPL, or Surrey in English county cricket. In fact, he first came into the limelight through his performances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

Sai Sudharshan... a treat to watch

Subsequently, Sudharsan progressed steadily, mastering each level of the game to become one of the most talked-about young cricketers in India. Though he made a quiet debut in the 2022 IPL, he announced himself in 2023 with 362 runs at an average of over 50. In 2024, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, finishing as the top run-scorer for Gujarat Titans with 527 runs. If he narrowly missed a century in 2023—falling just four runs short against Chennai Super Kings—he made up for it in 2024 with a scintillating 103 against the same team, studded with five boundaries and seven sixes.

Sudharsan’s mindset is simple: keep improving. That’s why he has emerged as one of the highest run-getters in the IPL this season. When given an opportunity to represent India in an ODI against South Africa, he scored an unbeaten 55 on debut, followed by a fluent 62 in the next match. Though he didn’t get a chance to bat in his only T20I against Zimbabwe in 2024, he has already made a strong impression in limited-overs cricket.

Sai Sudharshan's timely knocks 

It now remains to be seen whether Sudharsan, who has so far thrived in the shorter formats, can succeed in Test cricket, the game’s most demanding form. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar made it clear that Sudharsan was not selected purely based on his T20 success but for his temperament. Indeed, it is this calm and composed mindset that has fueled his consistent rise.

In Test cricket, a sound technique is essential—and Sudharsan has demonstrated his solid fundamentals. His defensive game and shot selection reflect this strength. What likely impressed the selectors even more is his ability to build an innings—an attribute critical to the longer format. His stint with Surrey in English county cricket would have given him invaluable exposure and experience in the very conditions he will face on his debut. 

With star players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not in the team, Team India is looking to groom young, technically sound players who can adapt across conditions. Sudharsan’s first-class average of over 40 is a testament to his red-ball potential. Moreover, having a left-hander at the top of the order adds strategic variety to India’s batting line-up. If he performs well in England, Sudharsan could well cement his place and go on to become a three-format mainstay.

Sai Sudharshan acknowledges the cheers from the crowd

Even during his success in the shorter formats, Sudharsan has maintained that his dream is to play Test cricket. With this goal in mind, he has dedicated himself to refining his technique. He dreams big, and his ultimate aim is to serve his country with distinction.

Will he open the innings for India or slot in at No. 3? Regardless of where he bats, Sudharsan brings to the crease the classical grace of a left-hander and the modern flair of contemporary cricket. His upright stance and elegant timing are eye-catching. His cover drives, in particular, are reminiscent of David Gower—one of the most stylish batsmen ever produced by the very country where Sudharsan is set to make his Test debut. Even in the frenetic world of the IPL, his innings have exuded calmness under pressure—exactly the quality India will hope to see in him on the Test stage.