The 24-year-old Sai Sudharsan emerged as one of the strong young batting prospects from India ahead of his Test debut in 2025. The left-handed batter was then slotted to bat in the number three position in the Test format. In the ongoing India A vs Australia A multi-day game in Puducherry, the batter is opening the innings.

The batter missed the tour of Sri Lanka after failing to recover from an injury. Devdutt Padikkal seized the chance and scored 328 runs from three innings while batting at number three. In the ongoing game in Puducherry, Sudharsan scored 57 in the first innings and followed it up with 39 in the second while opening the batting.

Sudharsan was quoted by the Times of India as saying, “I have opened in the ‘A’ Series even in Sri Lanka.

So the communication with the selectors was clear that I was going to open the batting here.” This could be a good ploy, keeping in mind that KL Rahul is set to turn 35 next year and the team management could be looking at Yashasvi Jaiswal’s long-term partner.

“It is not much of a big difference for me. I enjoy doing both as it is natural for me to face the new ball. I have opened the batting for Tamil Nadu and even in the age-group cricket.

It is nothing new for me,” he added.

The young batter from Chennai did well against Sri Lanka A, amassing 332 runs at an average of 166, including two centuries.

Team India on the cusp of massive win

India A took a lead of 163 runs, but the hosts were bowled out for 199 in the second innings. Padikkal was the best batter in the second innings, scoring 59 runs from 88 balls with seven boundaries.

Kumar Kushagrawho scored a century in the first innings, carried on his good batting form.

The 21-year-old was not out on 46 off 58 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. Toddy Murphy bowled well to claim four wickets, while Brendan Doggett and Liam Scott picked up two wickets each.

Tushar Deshpande took three wickets to reduce Australia A to 124/7 and put India A on the cusp of a huge win.