Mumbai, May 2: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has endorsed the inclusion of promising left-hander Sai Sudharsan in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England. Citing Sudharsan’s solid technique, left-handed advantage, and familiarity with English conditions, Shastri named him as a top contender for the red-ball setup.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri highlighted the 23-year-old’s performance in IPL 2025, where he has scored 456 runs in 9 matches at an average of 50.66 and strike rate of 150, with five half-centuries.
Already capped in ODIs, Sudharsan has:
- 127 runs in 3 ODIs with 2 fifties
- 1957 first-class runs in 29 matches (avg. 39.93), including a double century in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy
- Experience with Surrey in the County Championship (2023–24), including a century and fifty
Shastri praised his composure and adaptability:
“Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique… he will be top of the list for me.”
The push for fresh talent comes as India seeks a revival in Test cricket after their 3-1 series loss in Australia earlier this year.