He scored only 140 runs in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Following the Test retirement of veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara, India had to revamp their batting order. New Test captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul put up a great show in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 and sealed the opening and No.4 spots. However, the head coach Gautam Gambhir-led team management haven’t found the perfect player for No.3. The Men in Blue tried Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair during the five-match Test series against England, but both failed.
While Sudharsan scored 140 runs in six innings, averaging just 23.33, Nair managed 111 runs in four innings at an average of 27.75. The Karnataka batter also batted at No.6 on three occasions, but he could get only 37 runs to his name, averaging 12.33.
The selectors will be keeping a close eye on the ongoing two-match unofficial IND-A vs AUS-A Test series as the players are vying for a place in the India squad. Sudharsan, who earned his maiden Test cap on the back of a stunning IPL 2025 season, has bolstered his case with an eye-catching 73-run knock on September 18.
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Sai Sudharsan, who managed only one fifty on the England tour, was not picked in either squad by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament. The southpaw was also not named in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025. He was directly seen representing India A against Australia A in Lucknow for two unofficial Tests.
The 23-year-old smashed a half-century while batting at No.3. He played a crucial role in India’s fightback against Australia’s massive first innings score of 532/6. The left-hand batter’s elegance and impeccable technique were on display. His 124-ball stay showcased a great blend of aggression and defence.
He also forged a couple of small partnerships with in-form opener Narayan Jagdeesan and Devdutt Padikkal. Sudharsan and Jagadessan added 49 runs for the second wicket, but the latter returned to the dugout after scoring 64. He then stitched a 76-run stand for the third wicket with Padikkal, seeing India go past the 200-run mark. Sudharsan was trapped in front of the stumps by spinner Cooper Connolly when he was on 73. His innings was laced with 10 fours.
The Shubman Gill-led India will lock horns with a new-look West Indies team for a two-Test match series at home. The first Test will commence from October 2 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The second Test is slated for October 10 in Delhi. India will be the favourites as they have not lost a Test match against Windies since May 2002 in Kingston. The series win will help India replace Sri Lanka at the No.2 spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 rankings. Meanwhile, Australia are comfortable at the top with a 100% winning percentage.
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