Is Shubman Gill Backing Sai Sudharsan Due to Gujarat Titans Connection?

ByAnupam Pandey,SportsCafe Editor

Today at 7:19 PM

Sai Sudharsan has struggled to find consistency in Test cricket, managing only 147 runs in his first 4 matches at an average of 23.22. The number 3 slot has remained a concern for India ever since Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement, and the search for a reliable successor is still ongoing.

Is Shubman Gill Backing Sai Sudharsan Due to Gujarat Titans Connection.

Batting at number 3 in Test Cricket is no joke and the Indian team has got a history of some strong number 3 batters such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul Dravid who had mastered the art here. However, with the shift from the old generation to the younger generation, things haven’t been looking good for the Indian team at the number 3 position as after numerous chances, Sai Sudharsan has failed to grab the opportunity.

So far, , all of them at number 3, scoring 147 runs in 7 innings at an average of just 21.00. His highest score remains 61, which is also his only fifty at this level. What is more concerning is his inconsistency, with two ducks already in his short career. Out of the 360 balls he has faced, his strike rate stands at 40.83, showing that while he has spent some time at the crease, he has not been able to convert starts into big scores.

Breaking it down further, against England, he managed 140 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 23.33, while against West Indies, he could only make 7 runs in a single innings. His returns in home conditions have been poor, scoring just 7 in his only Test in India, whereas in England he fared slightly better with one fifty. Across match situations, his average has dipped significantly in the second innings, with just 41 runs from 3 attempts.

What are the other Options at Number 3 for Team India?

Talking about the Indian team, the selectors managed to bring Karun Nair at number 3 for the England tour in a few matches but that didn’t work too. With this, the selectors have officially made their mind to drop Karun Nair permanently and move ahead from him. Considering this, the other options at the number 3 spot for the Indian team are as follows:

1. Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal has only had a brief taste of Test cricket. Still, even in that short span he has shown signs of a player who could grow into a solid top-order option. In two matches and three innings, he has scored 90 runs at an average of 30, with a highest score of 65 and the figures are modest, but that innings of 65 was enough to showcase his calm temperament and compact technique, qualities that any team looks for at number 3.

Devdutt Padikkal’s Test Numbers:

Matches: 2
Innings: 3
Not Outs: 0
Runs: 90
Highest Score: 65
Batting Average: 30.00
Balls Faced: 197
Strike Rate: 45.68
Centuries: 0
Half-Centuries: 1

What stood out in that knock was his patience and Padikkal faced almost 200 deliveries in his brief Test career so far, striking at under 50, and that tells you he is not in a hurry. He looks willing to dig in, soak up pressure, and blunt the new ball, an invaluable quality in red-ball cricket. At the same time, the 12 boundaries and a six he has managed already show that he has the range of strokes to accelerate when conditions allow. He has also been reliable in the field, taking a couple of catches.

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad

If there is one name that has consistently come up in conversations around India’s future Test batting lineup, it is Ruturaj Gaikwad. His record in domestic cricket is too strong to ignore. Across 39 First-Class matches, Gaikwad has piled up 2832 runs at an average of nearly 44. That number alone underlines his ability to deliver across formats and conditions. His highest score of 195 shows that he not only gets starts but also has the temperament to convert them into marathon innings.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s First Class Numbers:

Matches: 39
Innings: 67
Not Outs: 2
Runs: 2832
Highest Score: 195
Batting Average: 43.56
Balls Faced: 4689
Strike Rate: 60.39
Centuries: 8
Half-Centuries: 14

Eight centuries and 14 half-centuries in First-Class cricket highlight his knack for making contributions count. What makes Gaikwad’s numbers even more impressive is the way he scores his runs and with a strike rate of around 60 in red-ball cricket, he has shown that he can keep the scoreboard ticking without taking undue risks. His 355 fours and 37 sixes paint the picture of a batter who knows when to defend and when to put the pressure back on the bowlers.

Gaikwad is a technically correct batter with the ability to adapt to match situations, which makes him a very attractive option for India’s number 3 role. He has the right mix of patience and controlled aggression to anchor an innings while also ensuring the scoring rate doesn’t stagnate. If he gets an extended run in the Test side, his domestic record suggests he has all the tools to succeed.

3. Dhruv Jurel

The search for India’s next long-term number 3 has intensified ever since Cheteshwar Pujara’s exit from the Test setup, and Dhruv Jurel is quietly putting himself in the conversation and although he has played only five Tests so far, he has left a strong impression and with 255 runs at an average of 36.42, Jurel has shown early signs of being able to handle the pressure of top-level cricket.

Dhruv Jurel’s Test Numbers:

Matches: 5
Innings: 8
Not Outs: 1
Runs: 255
Highest Score: 90
Batting Average: 36.42
Balls Faced: 466
Strike Rate: 54.72
Centuries: 0
Half-Centuries: 1

Jurel’s strike rate of 54.72 from 466 balls faced shows the balance he brings to the crease. He can defend and occupy the wicket when needed, but he is also not afraid to put away loose deliveries. Twenty fours and seven sixes in his short career illustrate his ability to keep bowlers honest and he has only one half-century to his name, but the temperament he displayed in that innings suggested there are bigger scores around the corner.

The dynamic around Jurel becomes even more interesting with Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket. With Pant certain to resume wicketkeeping duties, Jurel’s place in the XI will depend on whether the team is willing to play him as a pure batter.