B. Sai Sudharsan, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been making waves with his impressive performances in recent years. The Tamil Nadu left-hander, who made his India debut last year, recently represented India-C in the Duleep Trophy. In an exclusive interview, Sudharsan shared his insights on his career, training regimen, and aspirations.
Underarm Throwdowns: A Key to Success
Sudharsan believes that practicing underarm throwdowns is crucial for developing strong batting fundamentals. “Underarm and drop ball are very difficult to play,” he explains. “For that, basics are more important. If things are right, only then you can play underarm and the drop ball well.”
He incorporates underarm throwdowns into his regular training routine, focusing on balance, alignment, timing, and smoothness. “I have a routine. Whenever I go back after a tournament or whenever I play between matches, I try and play a lot of underarm, so that all my basics are always right,” he says.
County Cricket: A Valuable Learning Experience
Sudharsan’s stints in English County cricket have been instrumental in his development as a batsman. “It’s a very vast question,” he says. “Earlier, when I used to play in swinging or seaming conditions, I used to have that kind of fear where there is a newness whenever I go in.”
However, his experiences in England have helped him overcome this fear. “Because of that the familiarity of the balls is there. If you go there, every ball swings. Every other ball swings. Every other ball seams off the wicket. So, (there’s the development of) the habit of playing according to that, rather than getting surprised when we come in,” he explains.
Adapting to Different Roles
Sudharsan has shown versatility by batting at different positions, including No. 6. “It’s definitely very new. I’ve never batted below No. 4,” he admits. “So, that was a different experience and challenge.”
He embraces the responsibility that comes with batting in the middle order. “You need to play with all-rounders. You need to play with the bowlers. And taking more responsibility and more chances than them. So, it was a new experience for me and hopefully it worked well,” he says.
The Importance of Grinding
Sudharsan is known for his relentless work ethic. “I take rest, definitely,” he says. “But I 200 per cent believe in it (the grind). Because, that’s the one which is giving everything to us.”
He believes that consistency is key to success. “I think that consistency will in the future set you apart, where you can exponentially get better. I think that consistency is very important. That is what I’m striving for,” he says.
Aspirations for the Future
Sudharsan is eager to represent India in Test cricket. “As a cricketer, this is a great platform and opportunity, where it feels like a Test match every game we play,” he says. “I feel that is exposing us as cricketers to many different conditions. And I feel that it is helping me personally to get better as a batter.”
He is determined to continue working hard and prove his worth. “Obviously, if you get better in red ball, you can expand your batting in all formats. So, I feel this is one of the difficult formats to play for sure. And it is a test for everybody. So, obviously, I would love to play for the country whenever possible. And especially in red ball, because that has been a dream for everybody to get that Test cap. So, definitely looking forward,” he concludes.
