Young Sudharsan seeks game experience in SA

In 2023, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has added an array of achievements to his CV – he cracked a 47-ball 96 for Gujarat Titans in the IPL final, a century for India A against Pakistan A in the Emerging Asia Cup, signed a contract with Surrey in the English County Championship and made noteworthy contributions for Rest of India in both innings of the Irani Cup tie against Saurashtra.

- Vivek Krishnan

If the year had drawn to a close without any further highlight, Sudharsan would have had no complaints. But there's more coming his way. Last week, Sudharsan, 22, was picked in India’s squad for the ODI leg of the South African tour, capping off a breakthrough phase with his maiden national call-up. The three ODIs will be played in Johannesburg, Gqeberha and Paarl on December 17, 19 and 21.

“Actually, we are playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy. So, I was focusing on the tournament and not expecting the India call-up. It was a surprise, but I am really happy,” said Sudharsan, who’s currently in Thane with the Tamil Nadu team.

Having narrowly missed out on selection for the 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa, the youngster from Chennai doesn’t have any experience of the conditions he will counter later this month. But his progress since the U-19 World Cup disappointment suggests he’s on the right track. In 11 first-class matches, he has tallied 829 runs at an average of 43.63 with two centuries and three fifties. His domestic 50-over returns are even better – 1269 runs in 24 games at an average touching 60.