Explained: Why Sai Sudharsan Could Be A Threat For Shubman Gill At Number 3 In Tests

Why Sudharsan should be in Test team [Source: AP Photo]

If there is anyone in India who should make his Test debut in the coming months, then it has to be Gujarat Titans opener, Sai Sudharsan. The young Tamil Nadu player has all the necessarry tools to succeed in the format and can replicate the same form in Tests which he showcases in white-ball cricket.

After the drubbing against New Zealand and Australia in Tests, several Indian batters came under scrutiny and one of them was India's number 3, Shubman Gill. The batter who makes ODI cricket looks easy, struggles in Test cricket and is yet to truly leave his mark. Hence, here are two ket reasons why Sudharsan could replace Gill at number 3 and become India's batting mainstay.

1) Excellent player of spin and seam

When someone plays a Test match in India, playing spin bowling is an absolute necessary and Sudharsan has that in his arsenal.

(Sudharsan stats vs spin)

This data is from Sai Sudharsan's T20 career, but one thing is for sure, not only his average is high against spin, but also his strike-rate crosses the 145 mark. He is an outstanding player of spin and could be a long-term solution at number 3, as India are yet to replace Cheteshwar Pujara in that position.

(Gill stats vs pace)

Again, we have taken his T20 stats, but it shows that not only is he great against spin, but is also equally good against quality pace bowling, something which every Indian batters face when they tour abroad.

2) Gill yet to justify his selection

Gill scored a terrific 91 at Gabba in 2021 and since then, he has shown brilliance in patches but is yet to truly play that career-defining knock. In overseas conditions, Gill has struggled and his Test numbers aren't promising at all.

(Gill stats in Tests)

Most of his Test runs came in Indian subcontinent conditions and despite being talented, he is yet to score match-winning runs in tough conditions of England and South Africa. Also, his recent Australian tour was also a failure.

With Jaiswal and Rohit at the opening spot, perhaps Sudharsan could be the man to take the mantle forward from Rahul Dravid and Pujara at number 3.

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