What is Sai Sudharsan’s Fault That He Doesn’t Deserve a Spot?

India is trailing 1-2 and with this, the fourth Test at Old Trafford has gained massive importance because of the much-fought Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In discussions of team balance, one question reverberates through media rooms, expert panels, and fan forums: What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault?

The exciting young talent has played only one Test in this series, and his consistent performances across formats have made him fit to go along with the big boys. While some claim this is tactical thinking by the team management in question, others-such as former cricketer and current commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu, are raising questions as to why Karun Nair is still used instead.

Sidhu’s Hard-Hitting Question: What is Sai Sudharsan’s Fault?

Navjot Singh Sidhu kept up his reputation as a no-nonsense commentator, without holding back during yesterday’s YouTube commentary. “Karun Nair has played three Test matches. He is a promising cricketer, but his technical weakness has been exposed,” he said, sparking a heated debate.

Sidhu went on to ask the essential question: So, what on earth is Sai Sudharsan guilty of? How can a technically sound young player be dropped after a single Test, but an old hand continues to be given chances despite not scoring runs?

Making his debut in the very first Test of the series, Sudharsan seemed to show some promise with 30 runs on his second attempt, but has been excluded ever since. It’s become a question of ever-greater stakes in this must-win game, and his absence is being classified as tactical and puzzling.

Karun Nair’s Return: A Misfire?

There had been a lot of speculation over Karun Nair’s return to cricket’s longest format. Nair’s triple century against England in 2016 is one of the most remembered innings in modern cricket history, in fact, Indian Test history. Eight years in Test cricket seems to have come at a price.

In this series, Nair has so far scored 131 runs in six innings, averaging a meager 21.83. Though his timing and technique occasionally give glimpses of class, he has failed more often than not to convert starts into worthwhile innings. This inconsistency has drawn two questions from fans and analysts alike: What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault, especially since the young boy has proven better form and technique in recent months?

Shubman Gill Stands by Karun Nair

However, India captain Shubman Gill has made his stand quite clear. He said at the pre-match press meet: “He did not bat at his number in the first game, and we have had conversations with him, and he will turn it around.” Gill feels Nair brings experience and composure into a middle order still shadowed by retirements from the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

While Gill’s faith has been impressive, it has done little to silence the criticisms. After all, the live cricket match prediction models wouldn’t disagree that a player currently in form, like Sudharsan, would prove better in consistency for the middle order than one struggling for rhythm.

Sai Sudharsan: A Left-Handed Solution?

One among the network of advantages Sudharsan has is diversity. The 23-year-old bats with his left hand, which India currently does not have in its middle order. Thus, his introduction could ruin England’s plans of stacking right-arm bowlers and provide strategic balance to India.

Sidhu pointed out, saying, “Technically one of the sounders’ low-gravity batsmen whose hand-eye coordination and head position are textbook perfect.” And yet, he is warming the bench.

So again, what is Sai Sudharsan’s fault in this selection battleground? Under-experience? Or is it that India is sticking to “backing the veterans”, especially under pressure?

A Defining Test Ahead

The fourth Test isn’t just another game. It’s potentially the series decider itself. Having plugged the Indian middle order before in earlier matches, a fresh face like Sudharsan would have added the x-factor. 

Sadly predictable: teams are in favour of names that have been tried and tested in the past. Whether that gamble will pay off or not will reel out over the five days at Old Trafford. But whoever comes out a winner or loser, the question of What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault will now haunt us all. 

It also brings to surface the bigger issue in Indian cricket: when to back youth over experience especially when things are not working well with the current options.

The Bigger Picture: Building a New Core

India is clearly in a transition period with players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping aside from Test duties. With new players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, these players have been given the chance to take over the reins. It seems Sai Sudharsan should occupy a cherished place in the next-batch batting core.

The analysis bestowed upon him for his recent performances in domestic and franchise cricket proclaimed him to audiences and sources of prediction of live cricket match. Footwork, shot selection, and emotional intelligence under pressure make him a valuable long-term future investment.

Still, that begs the most pertinent and painful question: What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault in not getting even one second chance?

Conclusion

A do-or-die affair awaits India at Old Trafford. Tight scrutiny has now fallen on the Indian team management for sticking with Karun Nair. An admirable trait of giving faith in the old is to balance that with merit and momentum. By all accounts, someone else who deserves a good shot is Sai Sudharsan. Until then, the debate will continue among the cricketing fraternity: What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault ? 

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FAQs

Q1. Why is Sai Sudharsan not playing the fourth Test?
Sudharsan debuted in the first Test, but he was not picked for the subsequent games. The management is currently banking on Karun Nair because of his vast experience.

 

Q2. What did Navjot Singh Sidhu say regarding Sai Sudharsan?
Sidhu opposed the exclusion of Sudharsan and said, “What is Sai Sudharsan’s fault?” According to him, the young player ought to have received more chances for form and technique. 

 

Q3. How has Karun Nair performed in this Test series?
Karun Nair has scored 131 runs from six innings at an average of 21.83, as he has failed to convert his starts into bigger scores. 

 

Q4. Could Sai Sudharsan return later in the series?
Yes, it would be possible should Nair continue to underperform, in which case the team management might consider giving Sudharsan a shot at the final Test match.

 

Q5. How does Sai Sudharsan provide balance to India’s team?
He is a left-hander with sound technique, which adds flavor and solidity to a predominantly right-handed batting lineup. The absence of this only compounds the confusion.