Former head coach Ravi Shastri regards young Sai Sudharsan as an all-format batter who deserves to be in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against England later this year. India will begin the new World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027) with an away five-test series in England.
After missing out on their third straight WTC final after embarrassing Test series losses to New Zealand at home and Australia away, Team India will be eager to begin their next WTC cycle with a series win. India will commence their England series with the Headingley Test, scheduled to begin on June 20.
According to Shastri, Sudharsan, who is presently second on the list of highest IPL run-getters this season with 456 runs for Gujarat Titans, is a superb left-hander who will thrive in English conditions due to his technique and county experience.
"I see this young man, Sai Sudharsan, for all formats of the game. He seems like a class player, and my eyes would certainly be on him. Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique, the way he plays, I think he'll be top of the list for me from the outsiders wanting to get into this side,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
Shastri noted that Shreyas Iyer, who has had a fantastic run in white-ball cricket for India as well as the IPL, is another player who might be selected for the England tour but would face heavy competition.
"He (Shreyas Iyer) can (make a comeback), but it's again going to be a competition. White-ball, certain. Test cricket, we've got to see who the other players are around," Shastri said.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami fit and back, Shastri added that the Indian pace attack should include a left-hander as well.
"I'll be looking for a left-armer. I'll be keeping an eye on which left-armer is in good form and try and squeeze him in there as the sixth (bowling) option. It could be anyone. It could even be a white-ball specialist. I don't like this thing when they say someone like Arshdeep Singh is a 'white-ball specialist,” he added.
Shastri said Arshdeep, who has been a permanent member of the India T20I side, has the qualities to excel in red-ball cricket.
"I'll keep a close eye on his red-ball record as well and the number of overs he bowls. If he can bowl 15-20 overs for me, he might very well be in the mix because he's got the mindset. He's a thinking bowler, and I need a left-armer. It's just that.
You need a left-armer; go and find him, whoever he is and whoever is the best of the lot—pick them. There's Khaleel Ahmed, who again, his rhythm is good; he's bowling well. So it's important to get that mix," Shastri signed off.
(PTI inputs)
