"The obsession with playing Sai Sudharsan is hurting the team" - Fans slam management as batter wastes another opportunity in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Team India batter Sai Sudharsan failed to deliver in the first innings of the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. He was dropped for the opening Test but returned to the side.

However, he could not make the most of the opportunity and put his hand up when needed the most. South Africa put up a huge total of 498 runs in the first innings. India made a steady start as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul added 65 runs at the top. Once both were dismissed, Sai Sudharsan failed to play a responsible innings at number three.

He was sent back for just 15 runs off 40 balls on the third ball of the 35th over. Fans slammed the team management for playing Sudharsan with the side struggling to find a solid option for the crucial number three spot.

"The obsession with playing Sai Sudharsan is hurting the team. The batter just isn’t delivering. Four wickets lost for just 10 runs — what can we even say, Pant?” a fan wrote on X.

Ravi

@IamRavigupta_

The obsession with playing Sai Sudharsan is hurting the team. The batter just isn’t delivering. Four wickets lost for just 10 runs — what can we even say, Pant?”​#INDvSA#INDvsSA#TeamIndia#SAvsIND#Cricket

"Why is there a need to force him into playing? The selectors should assess the player's potential in first-class cricket. Sai Sudharsan out just 15 runs," another tweet read.

𝘼𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙝

@iamAkashAU

Why is there a need to force him into playing? The selectors should assess the player's potential in first-class cricket. Sai Sudharsan out just 15 runs.#SaiSudharsan #INDvSA #SimonHarmer

Below are some other reactions from fans on X -

A.k

@officialAkarshh

Sai sudharsan is. Boring + ineffective he should be dropped asap .#IndianCricket

𝐈𝐂𝐓 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ🇮🇳

@AURAICTT

Sai Sudharsan in Test cricket​0, 30, 61, 0, 38, 11, 7, 87, 39, 15​He has batted all 10 innings at number 3 and his avg is 28. Honestly time is running out for him. If he can't score on pitches like this, it's going to get tougher for him to keep his spot.​#SaiSudharsan

panditSpeaks

@panditGfromNCR

Sai Sudharsan is the Biggest fraud #IndvsSa

Dr.haniya

@haniya_445

Sai Sudharsan's first-class stats don’t match his Test selection, but favoritism in Indian cricket gives him opportunities, credit to Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir.

MANU.

@IMManu_18

"Everyone should look at Sai Sudarshan's average & runs in first class cricket & Sai Sudharsan didn't better than Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, Ruturaj Gaikwad in Test Cricket.​- Sai Sudarshan in Tests.​- 10 Innings - 288 runs - 28.80 average - 2 Fifties.​- but this is Indian Cricket - Team selection happening through favouritism, All credit goes to Ajit Agarkar & Gautam Gambhir

Sudharsan has played 38 first-class matches so far. He has scored 2562 runs at an average of 39.41 with eight hundreds and nine fifties. In comparison, Sarfaraz Khan has scored 4863 runs from 60 first-class games at an average of 63.15 with 16 hundreds. Ruturaj Gaikwad has made 3146 runs from 43 first-class matches at an average of 45.59 with nine hundreds.

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Is Sai Sudharsan the right fit for India at number three in Tests?

Ever since Cheteshwar Pujara was left out of the Test team, India have struggled to find a reliable number three batter. They have looked to back Sai Sudharsan for the position.

However, he has not been able to reassure that he could be the solution to India's number three conundrum. Having made his Test debut against England earlier this year, the left-hander has batted in 10 innings to date. He has scored 288 runs at an average of 28.80 with two half-centuries.

He has not been consistent in the limited games he has featured in, not quite cementing his position at number three. It will be interesting to see whether the management continues to persist with Sudharsan and gives him a long rope.