Mumbai, Oct 30: Sai Sudharsan has seemingly secured the crucial No. 3 batting position in India’s Test cricket team for the foreseeable future. However, the elegant left-hander admits he is still learning the tactical nuances required to excel in this role.Ahead of upcoming matches against South Africa A and the senior Proteas side, Sudharsan is dedicating himself to refining his footwork and developing a tactical edge over bowlers.
He emphasizes that the technical aspects remain largely consistent, but gaining tactical superiority at the international level is key to being effective. Sudharsan explained that at the highest level, there are very few loopholes or gaps to exploit, making it vital to adapt strategies based on each bowler’s strengths and weaknesses.
Unlike focusing solely on cementing his spot, Sudharsan’s mindset is to win one-on-one sessions with bowlers and contribute to the team’s success, with runs expected to come as a natural outcome. He looks up to KL Rahul as a role model for versatility across batting positions and draws confidence from his head coach Gautam Gambhir’s encouragement to play freely without the pressure of immediate big scores.
The 24-year-old Tamil Nadu batter’s primary goal remains helping India win matches, embracing learning and tactical improvements as he continues in this key role for the team.