Tamil Nadu’s rising star and Gujarat Titans (GT) talent Sai Sudharsan has sparked serious excitement among cricket fans and headaches for national selectors with his phenomenal performances ahead of India’s upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series in Australia. Sudharsan’s recent innings, a commanding century for India A against Australia A in MacKay, couldn’t have come at a better time. His form has thrust him into the spotlight as a potential contender in India’s Test squad.
Sudharsan’s talent is recognized at multiple levels. Recently retained by Gujarat Titans for INR 8.5 crore, the 23-year-old’s inclusion in India’s squad for the much-anticipated Australia tour was initially seen as an opportunity to gain experience, but his consistent red-ball form now makes him a serious candidate.
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With Virat Kohli facing a rough patch in Test cricket, particularly in the ongoing series against New Zealand, fans and analysts alike are buzzing about Sudharsan as a promising replacement. While Kohli’s recent struggles have led to calls for his exclusion from the Test XI, the management remains cautious. Kohli’s track record overseas, particularly in Australia, is formidable.
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His experience is valuable, and dropping him for the Border-Gavaskar series would be a bold move. However, Sudharsan’s brilliant innings are increasingly difficult to ignore. On Day 3 of the first unofficial Test, Sudharsan reached his hundred with a single against Australia A’s Todd Murphy, marking his maiden century on Australian soil and his seventh in first-class cricket.
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India A’s strong showing against Australia A in the first unofficial Test, where they set a target of 225, was largely due to Sudharsan’s gritty 103 off 200 balls and Devdutt Padikkal’s resilient 88 off 199 balls. This solid partnership placed India A in a commanding position at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Sudharsan’s timing and skill make him a tantalizing option for India’s Test line-up, and a chance to shake up the status quo with his fresh, determined approach.
