Emerging talent Sai Sudharsan shines bright in ODI debut

B. Sai Sudharsan’s meteoric rise from his standout performances in IPL 2023 and the Emerging Men’s Asia Cup set the stage for his anticipated entry into international cricket. On Sunday (December 17), the left-handed batter made a remarkable ODI debut against South Africa, ending the match unbeaten with a score of 55 runs.

Expressing his elation, Sudharsan stated, “It felt amazing because as a young kid, everybody dreams of playing for the country and contributing to winning trophies. I was ecstatic; it was a beautiful feeling.”

Sharing his emotional experience during the national anthem and the tradition of awarding caps, Sudharsan mentioned, “One culture I have loved is giving everyone caps, which I have loved seeing from Tamil Nadu days. I was a little emotional during the national anthem. It’s a great feeling and I just enjoyed it,” as seen in a video on bcci.tv.

In the pursuit of a modest target of 117, Sudharsan showcased his talent with a well-timed cover drive for four, displaying sheer class. His innings included a skillful steer past point and elegantly timed drives through extra cover, earning him additional boundaries.

Demonstrating agility against spinners and displaying adept footwork, Sudharsan crafted a composed innings, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 41 balls. He partnered effectively with Shreyas Iyer, contributing to an 88-run stand.

Reflecting on the challenging pitch, Sudharsan highlighted their strategic communication, stating, “We reacted well to the situation as the pitch was tricky. We communicated effectively regarding the conditions, which worked out great.”

Sudharsan credited his preparedness to the experience gained from playing for India ‘A’ in a four-day red-ball match against South Africa ‘A’ before joining the ODI squad. “It helped me adjust to the conditions. I tried to react well to the ball and had a feeling that starting with a boundary on my first ball would be great.”

Coming from a family with strong sporting connections, Sudharsan draws inspiration from his father R. Bharadwaj, a former Indian sprinter, and his mother Usha Bharadwaj, a volleyball player turned strength and conditioning trainer. Reflecting on his family’s excitement, Sudharsan shared, “I hinted at my selection, and they were thrilled. Seeing my name in the team weeks ago made them really happy. I hope they are even happier now,” he concluded with a smile.

-IANS