Sai Sudharsan has recently displayed impressive form, progressing well with his top-of-the-order batting for both his domestic sides and now on the international scene. In the ACC Emerging Trophy final, he will start for India A against Pakistan A and try to repeat his century from the group stage encounter against the Shaheens.
Sudharsan, who was a regular in the top order for the Gujarat Titans as they advanced to the IPL final this year, has had a breakout year. His best performance came in the championship match itself, albeit in a losing effort, when he scored 96 (47) to set a lofty goal in the rain-shortened game.
Sudharsan has successfully represented Tamil Nadu and utilised his platform with the India A team. With his current status in the developmental teams, Sudharshan will undoubtedly make every effort to seize this opportunity. If he performs well, he just might end up starting for GT, which would put him in the race for an upcoming Indian call-up.
Sudharsan, who is only 21 years old, talked to Star Sports on the influence MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, two previous Indian leaders, have had on his young career.
Everyone is aware about Mahi bhai. He is very composed, and every time I interact with him, he constantly wants to know more about me and what I can contribute to the team. When defending the DLS-affected total, Sudharsan, who was at his best against Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings but watched his team’s bowling fall just short of the mark, emphasised that this was more crucial than attempting to do something or acting differently.
Certainly playing in the vein of Virat Kohli, Sudharsan is a stylish and potent top-order batsman who takes his time getting set but is capable of playing a monster innings once he has it. The young southpaw, however, is more impressed by Kohli’s energy and mentality than anything else. Sudharsan remarked of Kohli, “Virat’s thinking is quite strong. I therefore want to adopt that quality from him. He and I have spoken over the phone.”
In eight IPL innings this season, Sudharsan averaged 51 and struck out more than 140 times. In addition, over the course of his brief career, he has produced extremely respectable numbers in both First Class and List A cricket. He struck two consecutive sixes against Pakistan A to bring up his century and seal the win for India A, and will look to repeat the trick in Sunday’s final in Colombo.
