Sai Sudharsan admits to ‘surreal’ feeling after India call-up for the upcoming 5-test series against England in June.
B Sai Sudharsan admits that it feels “surreal” to receive his maiden Test call-up for India’s upcoming five-match series in England.
“It obviously feels great. Feels very special to be honest, and surreal also. Any cricketer, any young cricketer who starts playing cricket, wants to play Test cricket, wants to play for the country,” he said on the eve of Gujarat Titans’ match against Chennai Super Kings, a few hours after the India Test squad was announced. “The ultimate goal is always to play Test cricket. So really happy for that.”
India’s new-look top four is expected to include Sai Sudharsan after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. In the Ranji Trophy, India’s domestic first-class event, Sai Sudharsan typically opens the batting for Tamil Nadu, but he is capable of playing for India at any position.
In 29 first-class matches, he has batted in the middle order for Surrey, scoring 1957 runs at an average of slightly under 40, including five fifties and seven hundreds. In November of last year, when India A played Australia A in Mackay, the most recent century came at number three.
“I think playing for the country itself is a very big privilege for a cricketer. So I don’t think I am in a position to choose where I want to play,” Sai Sudharsan said when asked about his preference in the batting line-up. “Wherever the coaches tell me to play, I think I will be mentally and obviously skillfully, you know, try and be ready for the opportunity.
“I have a lot of likings. I think I will have to be ready for whichever [position] the team gives me. I will be ready for that.”
His captain at GT, Shubman Gill, was selected India’s new red-ball captain at the same time as his first Test call-up.
“I mean, Shubhi is, over the years, I have been a part of his growth as well,” Sai Sudharsan said. “I have seen him for the last four years. Such a talented batsman, such a skillful batsman, anybody can see.
“So I feel he will definitely do laurels and great things for the country and I am grateful and I am very happy to play under him in my first Test series.”