Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has picked Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal as India’s opening pair for the five-match Test series against England. Ponting noted that Sudharsan looks like a class player and backed the left-hander to find success on his maiden England tour.
While Sudharsan averages only 39 in first-class cricket, he impressed one and all with his consistent performances in IPL 2025. The southpaw top-scored in the tournament with 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21. Ergo, Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan bagged four awards – Emerging Player of the Season, Fantasy King of the Season, Orange Cap, and Most fours award.
Ricky Ponting said on ICC Review, “I think (Sai) Sudarshan and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will open the batting (in England) as Sudarshan just looks like a class player to me and technically I think he could do well at Test level.”
Ponting backed either KL Rahul or Karun Nair to bat at number three with newly appointed captain Shubman Gill at number four.
“They’ll have two pretty young opening batters, so they might look to go for someone that’s got a bit more experience at No.3.Whether that’s KL (Rahul) or Karun (Nair) at No.3, and then Shubman might end up being that No.4 player, which will probably make life for him a little bit easier as a captain as well,” said Ponting.
“Not having to be opening or batting at No.3 as a young captain might make it easier. Their top five will probably be Sudarshan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill and Karun Nair for the start of the England series,” he added.
On the other hand, Gill revealed they will decide their batting order for England tour after reaching there. The Indian team arrived in London on Saturday and will soon begin their training.
Gill said in the press conference before leaving, “We still have some time, we will be playing an intra-squad and have a 10-day camp in London. We will decide the batting order once we are there.”
The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.
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