The Indian cricket team is in a period of transition in Test cricket, with new players being given chances following the retirements of established stars such as Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Young batsman Sai Sudharsan is currently struggling to establish himself, having failed in the first innings of the first Test against the West Indies.
Sudharsan’s performance in the Ahmedabad Test was underwhelming. After the West Indies were bowled out for 162, India began their batting innings. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided a strong start, Sudharsan came in at number three and was dismissed for just 7 runs.
This was Sudharsan’s fourth Test match and his seventh innings, but he again failed to make a significant score. Having made his debut during India’s tour of England, Sudharsan has struggled to convert starts into substantial scores. In seven innings, he has managed just 147 runs at an average of 21, including only one half-century.
These statistics are concerning for India, but also raise serious questions about Sudharsan’s future in the team. While international, especially Test cricket, is new to him and his debut was in challenging conditions, his inability to capitalize on opportunities won’t be tolerated indefinitely. With a wealth of talent available, the team management’s patience may be wearing thin.
With limited batting opportunities in the remaining Tests, Sudharsan’s position is under threat. With potentially only four innings available, every innings counts. Failure to perform could see him omitted from the squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.