Sai Sudharsan Opens Up On His Breakout Season And Plans To Master Spin Bowling
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Sai Sudharsan has been on a remarkable run of form in recent months, capping it off with what he calls his best season yet in the Indian Premier League. Playing for Gujarat Titans, the young opener crossed 700 runs for the second year running and ended up as the tournament's third-highest run-getter.
The season did not start smoothly for him. He struggled to score in the opening matches, but instead of getting rattled, he used the phase to build mental resilience. He explained that it is easy to trust yourself when runs are flowing, but the real test is maintaining that self-belief during a lean patch without carrying doubts from one match into the next.
Sudharsan made his Test debut for India in England last year, and his journey in the longer format has had its share of ups and downs. He believes this format exposes even the smallest technical or mental weaknesses in a batter, forcing quick adaptation despite limited time to work on flaws.
He spoke about wanting to feel more ownership and freedom at the crease, saying that backing himself more could help him play closer to his true potential. He noted that signs of this freer approach were visible during his innings in the Test against Afghanistan.
After the IPL ended, Sudharsan moved smoothly into red-ball cricket, scoring 81 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan and then following it up with two centuries for India-A during a tour of Sri Lanka. This form couldn't have come at a better time, since the Indian team is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series soon.
During the India-A matches, he picked up valuable lessons about batting in Sri Lankan conditions, particularly how strong winds affect the ball's line, requiring batters to judge each delivery as late as possible rather than committing early.
Looking ahead, Sudharsan plans to use a quieter stretch, which includes some domestic league matches for Tamil Nadu, to work on specific improvements. He wants to build strength, leanness and better movement and recovery, while also sharpening his skills against spin bowling and refining his footwork for future challenges.
Why it matters
Sudharsan's rise reflects how young Indian batters are using franchise cricket like the IPL as a launchpad into international red-ball cricket, blending white-ball form with Test temperament. His candid reflections on handling failure and building mental toughness offer insight into the psychological demands of professional cricket. With India's Test tour of Sri Lanka approaching, his recent centuries and adaptation to local conditions make him a strong contender for a key batting role, highlighting how domestic and A-team performances directly shape national team selection.
Test yourself
1. Which IPL franchise does Sai Sudharsan play for?
2. Where did Sai Sudharsan finish in the run-scoring charts in his most recent IPL season?
3. Where did Sai Sudharsan make his Test debut?
4. Against which team did Sudharsan score 81 in a one-off Test after the IPL?
5. How many centuries did Sudharsan score for India-A during the Sri Lanka tour?
6. What specific challenge did Sudharsan mention about batting conditions in Sri Lanka?
7. What mental lesson did Sudharsan say he learned during his early IPL struggles?
8. Which domestic competition will Sudharsan play in during a quieter period?
9. What specific cricketing skill did Sudharsan say he wants to fine-tune?
10. Besides technical skills, what physical goals did Sudharsan mention working on?
Your notes
Source: The Hindu