After Sai Sudarshan's Smashing India Debut, A Look At His Cricketing Journey

Rising batter Sai Sudharsan capped off a memorable 2023 by not only making his international debut for Team India but also smashing a brilliant, match-winning half-century in tough overseas conditions during the first ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg on Sunday. Sudharsan looked at ease while facing the Proteas bowling line-up, which, while missing some big names such as Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, had enough steam to rattle the visitors on a helpful surface.

However, showing no nerves fronting up to the South African quicks in his debut ODI, young Sai smashed an unbeaten 55 off 43 balls with nine fours.

The southpaw scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of over 127.

While many cricket fans are aware of this 22-year-old's journey to international cricket, including his breakthrough 96-run knock in the Indian Premier League final this year for the Gujarat Titans against the Chennai Super Kings, a lot of hard work and donning of cricketing jerseys went into the eventual fulfilment of his India dream.

Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL)

Sudharsan earned fame with his performances in this state franchise-based T20 league. Sudharsan's name started coming up with the 2021 edition of the tournament, in which he scored 358 runs in eight matches at an average of 71.60, with five fifties and a strike rate of over 143. He finished as the second-best run-getter playing for Lyca Kovai Kings.

Over the next two seasons, he went on to score 336 runs in 10 matches at an average of 48.00, with four fifties in 2022 and 371 runs in six matches at an average of 74.20 and a strike rate of over 172, with four fifties in the 2023 season. He finished as the fourth-highest run-getter in 2022 and second-highest