Ricky Ponting Advocates for Sai Sudharsan's Future in India's Batting Lineup
Ponting Supports Sudharsan for Number Three Position
Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his belief that young Indian batsman Sai Sudharsan is capable of securing the number three position in the future. He emphasized the need for the team management to place their trust in him.
The discussion surrounding the number three batting slot resurfaced after a challenging start to India's second innings in Manchester.
Facing a daunting 311-run deficit, Chris Woakes dismissed both opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sudharsan for ducks. However, in the previous innings, Sudharsan showcased his potential by scoring 61 runs off 151 balls, including seven boundaries, contributing to India's total of 358 alongside other notable performances from Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.
Ongoing Debate Over India's Number Three Batsman
Following India's exit from the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, the team has experimented with various players for the number three position, including skipper Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Sudharsan, and Karun Nair. Except for Gill's commendable performance during the home season, these attempts have yielded unsatisfactory results in away series in Australia and England.
At just 23 years old, Sudharsan has accumulated 91 runs in four innings, indicating his potential. However, his recent dismissals have raised concerns about his readiness for the role. In the second innings at Manchester, he struggled to decide whether to play or leave a delivery outside off stump, resulting in an edge to Harry Brook at second slip.
This indecision contributed to India's early collapse at 0/2 before the first session concluded, placing the burden of recovery on Rahul and Gill.
Ponting's Insights on Sudharsan's Development
Discussing Sudharsan, who made his Test debut at Leeds but was later replaced by Karun Nair, Ponting noted that the constant rotation of players at number three creates unnecessary pressure on young talents. He believes that such pressure can hinder their performance.
"A young player shouldn't feel the weight of uncertainty regarding their position. I was surprised by the decision to drop Sudharsan after the first Test, only to reinstate him later. Young players need reassurance from their captain and coaches to thrive in their roles," Ponting stated during an interview.
"I am confident that Sudharsan has the potential to succeed, but the management must demonstrate their faith in him."
Learning from England's Approach
Ponting urged the Indian management to adopt a supportive approach similar to that of England's captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, who have consistently backed players like Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope despite their fluctuating performances.
"Trusting and supporting players can lead to significant match-winning contributions in the future," he concluded.
In his first-class career, Sudharsan has played 30 matches, scoring 1,987 runs at an average of 38.96, including seven centuries and five fifties, with a highest score of 213.
India's Struggles in the Fourth Test
During the fourth day of the Test match, India faced challenges after a rocky start in their second innings. England had set a formidable target with a first-innings score of 669, leaving India with a 311-run deficit, despite their second innings total of 358.
Significant centuries from Joe Root and Ben Stokes, along with contributions from lower-order batsmen, added to India's woes. The Indian innings began poorly, with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan dismissed for ducks. However, KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill stabilized the innings with a solid partnership of 174 runs.
End of Day 4: India in a Challenging Position
At the conclusion of Day 4, India managed to reach 174/2, trailing England by 137 runs. If the Indian team can salvage a draw on the final day, it would be a notable achievement. England failed to take any wickets in the last session, allowing Indian batsmen to add 126 runs, with KL Rahul remaining unbeaten on 87 and Shubman Gill on 78.
India commenced the third session at 86/2, with Gill, in fine form, achieving his eighth Test fifty and fourth against England off just 77 balls.