Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel believes Test cricket is the best format for Sai Sudharsan. The left-hander had performed consistently in IPL 2025, finishing as the leading run-getter with 759 runs in 15 matches for the Gujarat Titans.
Sudhasan was also handed his maiden Test call-up for the tour of England but could not grab his opportunity with both hands. The southpaw scored 140 runs in three Test matches against England at an average of 23.33.
Meanwhile, Sudharsan seems to have the right technique to succeed in the red-ball version and he would want to come up with the goods.
“Test is the best format for him. Obviously, in T20 the way he has performed, people thought everyone are power-hitters but this a player with correct technique. But he has the ability to score boundaries and use pace. But his technique is good. That is why he was taken to England for the Test series,” Parthiv Patel said on his YouTube channel.
In first-class cricket, Sudharsan has an average of 39 but Patel reckons he has the right technique to deliver the goods.
“If you look at performance in domestic cricket, his average is below 40, but he has the technique and potential. That is why the selectors are looking at him as an option to play Test cricket,” he added.
Meanwhile, Patel said it would be interesting to note if India backs Sai Sudharsan at number three after the England tour. Sai batted at one drop in the opening Test against England but he was dropped in the second Test as Karun Nair was given his chance.
“From the start of the series, obviously, India went on with Sai Sudharsan. But then the combination changed, and they tried to get an experienced player in Karun Nair, but unfortunately, after a very, very good couple of seasons in domestic cricket, he could not convert those starts into big, significant scores. So, now it looks like India wants to back a youngster, which is completely okay,” he was quoted as saying by IANS.
India’s Test team will next take on the West Indies in a two-match series at home.
