From TNPL Star to India Call-up: Sai Sudharsan's Rapid Rise Continues

Sai Sudharsan has the unique distinction of making more money from a T20 league with state-based franchises than from the Indian Premier League.

In the inaugural Tamil Nadu Premier League auction this year, Lyca Kovai Kings secured Sudharsan for a price of Rs 21.6 lakh, surpassing the Rs 20 lakh base price he originally received from Gujarat Titans in advance of the 2022 Indian Premier League.

Of course, though, his IPL experience is what matters most and has been essential to his development. Among the pivotal moments in Sudharsan's career was this year's IPL, as he eventually received his first India call-up for

the South Africa tour's ODI leg, which starts on December 17.

The 22-year-old left-hander did well to build on his triumphant IPL season, making runs in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July and going on to sign a county contract with Surrey for three Championship Division One games in August of last year.

By his own admission, his post-IPL experiences have helped him to progressively improve as a cricket player. However, the young player's time in the Titans camp thus far has been extremely beneficial to his development.

"It's the IPL that gave me the chance to play against good bowlers, which advanced and improved me as a batsman. "IPL games this year have sharpened my skills and made me a better cricketer overall," Sudharsan, who is currently occupied with Tamil Nadu's Vijay Hazare Trophy, said to The Telegraph on Monday from Mumbai.

He participated in three IPL games this year as opposed to five in 2022, scoring 362 runs at a strike rate of 141.41 and an average of 51.71. He recorded three half-centuries, his highest being 96.

In addition to his run total, he excelled at reading the situation and was a skilled batsman, particularly when he was batting with Shubman Gill, the IPL 2023 top run scorer, as the non-striker.

"I learned a lot from watching Shubman bat from the non-striker's end and his composure and how he paces his innings," Sudharsan stated.

In addition, "the entire Titans support staff, including the then-captain Hardik Pandya, created a great environment for me and gave me the necessary space to express myself fully."

In white-ball cricket, Sudharsan has performed remarkably well for his state as well, averaging 60.42 after 24 List A games and striking at 96.28. Not bad for 11 first-class appearances with an average of 43.63.

Given that Gill is also absent from the ODI squad along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are rested, there's a good chance that Sudharsan will make his debut right away on December 17 in Johannesburg during the first game of the series against Ruturaj Gaikwad.

"I have no control over getting a spot in the XI. I have to concentrate on getting ready for the series and making sure I have everything I need.

These days, the focus is primarily on tactics, including improving batsmanship, being prepared for any eventuality, and deepening the game. A spot in the XI is certain if I continue to do the necessary tasks, Sudharsan stated.

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