Shubman Gill Supports Promising Star Showing Patience with Young Players Despite Low Scores
Young Indian Cricketer Sai Sudharsan Under Pressure: Shubman Gill Stands Firm in Support
The Challenges Facing Sai Sudharsan in Recent Matches
India’s emerging talent, Sai Sudharsan, has come under scrutiny following a less-than-stellar performance in the second Test against the West Indies held in Ahmedabad. Despite this, the team’s captain, Shubman Gill, has expressed unwavering support for Sudharsan, emphasizing the need for patience and development for the young batter earmarked as India’s potential long-term No. 3.
Shubman Gill’s Supportive Stance at Delhi Press Conference
In a pre-match press conference on October 9 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Shubman Gill addressed Sudharsan’s situation, stating, “Young players will not get a hundred in every match. You have to give them the chance and then only decide what else he can do to better.” Sudharsan, who debuted in Test cricket in England, has accumulated just 147 runs across seven innings, averaging slightly above 21 with a solitary half-century.
Previous Performance Highlights and Recent Struggles
Sudharsan showcased his potential with two fifties and a century against Australia A in Lucknow. However, the recent Ahmedabad Test saw him dismissed for a single-digit score by West Indies captain Roston Chase.
Potential Alternatives for India’s No. 3 Spot
While Sudharsan currently holds the No. 3 position, India has several capable alternatives. The current squad includes players like Devdutt Padikkal and Narayan Jagadeesan, who have displayed notable performances:
- Devdutt Padikkal featured as No. 3 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth but struggled in subsequent games.
- Narayan Jagadeesan made a significant impact with a 197-run inning in the Duleep Trophy 2025 and accumulated 138 runs in three innings against India A.
India’s Test Squad Dynamics
India’s Test squad for the West Indies series is a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, including:
| Players | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan | Batsmen |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper |
| Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar | All-rounders |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav | Bowlers |
| Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj | Fast Bowlers |
| N Jagadeesan, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Devdutt Padikkal | Supporting Players |
The management remains committed to giving Sudharsan opportunities, counting on his growth while having a backup strategy involving other promising players.
