A pivotal moment on Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies occurred not just on the field but also on the balcony, where batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had a serious discussion with Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan narrowly missed a century, departing for a commendable 87 runs after facing 165 balls.
The young batsman, who had been under pressure following modest returns in his first four Test matches, displayed significant improvement. His innings was characterized by patience and a solid partnership with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten on 173 at the close of play. Sudharsan’s milestone of a half-century was achieved in 87 deliveries, highlighting his steady accumulation of runs.
His promising knock was cut short by a delivery from Jomel Warrican. Despite Sudharsan’s strong showing, the team management, represented by Kotak’s animated on-field coaching post-dismissal, is keen on refining his game. The coach appeared to be pointing out the precise mistake that led to Sudharsan playing back to a delivery, resulting in his LBW decision.
Following the day’s play, Sudharsan shared his approach, focusing on playing freely and building partnerships. He acknowledged the valuable support from Jaiswal and expressed his ambition to convert solid starts into even larger scores in future innings.
India’s commanding position at 318/2 underscores the effectiveness of Sudharsan’s contribution. Mentors like Ryan ten Doeschate have spoken about the fierce competition for places in the national squad, but also affirmed the team’s strong belief in Sudharsan’s potential to establish himself at the crucial number three position. Kotak’s coaching session is a testament to the continuous development focus for the promising young talent.