Coaches feel Sai Sudharsan has talent to go places

Tamil Nadu Premier League before being fast-tracked into the state white-ball teams, things moved rather swiftly for B Sai Sudharsan as he broke into the IPL. The 20-year-old left-handed batter got himself noticed with a half-century for Gujarat Titans against Punjab Kings in an IPL game on Tuesday, albeit in a losing cause. The coaches, who saw him in his initial years, feel he is destined for bigger things in the game.

He impressed in the 2021 edition of TNPL in which he was the second highest scorer with 358 runs in eight innings at an average of 71.60. Sudharsan showcased his abilities for the formidable state side in the victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign and also the Vijay Hazare Trophy. After warming the bench at Chepauk Super Gillies previously, he had a breakout season for Lyca Kovai Kings in the 2021 TNPL and has been on the rise since.

Apart from making the Tamil Nadu white-ball sides, he was also picked in the Ranji Trophy squad. Son of Bharadwaj R, an athlete who has represented India in the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games and Usha, who has played volleyball for TN, the Chennai player has been able to make a mark in a different sport. Picked up by Titans, one of the two new IPL franchises in 2022, for his base price of Rs 20 lakh, Sudharsan got a look-in when his state team captain Vijay Shankar pulled out due to back spasm.

He made an assured 35 in his first IPL game. After moderate returns with the bat in two subsequent games, he was benched before returning in style with an unbeaten 65 against an attack that included Kagiso Rabada and the fast-improving Arshdeep Singh. His rise through the ranks has not surprised TN coach M Venkataramana, who says Sudharsan has worked hard and has the talent