Sai Sudharsan has yet again let India down, as the hosts have found themselves in big trouble on Day 3 of the ongoing second and final Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Sai Sudharsan had the big responsibility on his shoulders, coming into the India XI in place of injured captain Shubman Gill, yet he failed to repay the faith shown by the head coach Gautam Gambhir and selectors. On the pitch where the Proteas side piled up 489 runs in their first innings, the Indian batters found it tough to score, losing two wickets for 92 runs.
Sai Sudharsan fails again as India slip into trouble on Day 3 in Guwahati
After KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wickets, Sai was expected to play a steady innings, but he once again failed to deliver with the bat. The left-handed batter failed to make the most of the opportunity in Guwahati after being left out of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata.
Simon Harmer bowled a short ball to Sai, and he tried to pull it strongly towards mid-wicket. Ryna Rickelton, who was stationed at the perfect position, moved to his left and tried to catch it. However, the ball first slipped out of Rickelton’s hands, but he quickly grabbed it again on the second try and held it close to his chest to ensure Sudharsan’s exit.
Sai walked back to the pavilion after scoring 15 runs off 40 balls, putting India in deep trouble. Following yet another flop show, Indian cricket fans have been slamming Gautam Gambhir for backing the Chennai player over proven and in-form batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad. Many have demanded Sai’s ouster from India’s Test side following his continuous poor numbers.
Here’s how fans react to Sai Sudharsan’s another flop show:
Sai Sudharsan’s poor run continues, India collapse to 105/5
Sai Sudharsan has been facing heat for his inconsistent performance at number three in tests. He has an average of just 21 across seven innings. Sai had a forgetful England tour, and then he could manage only one fifty against the West Indies at home.
In the buildup for the ongoing Test series, Sai managed only 32, 12, 17, and 23 in two unofficial tests against South Africa A in Bengaluru; as a result, he was benched for the Kolkata Test. But Gill’s injury opened a door for him, and he squandered yet another opportunity.
Currently, India is in deep trouble, as they have lost five wickets for 105 runs, with the last three tumbling for just 10 runs against South Africa in the ongoing final Test in Guwahati.