Sai Sudharsan Credits Fellow Chennaite Ahead Of Landmark Test Debut

Indian cricketer Sai Sudharsan, is drawing on inspiration from a familiar face as he gears up for his red-ball debut against England. The 23-year-old opener from Chennai has had a standout domestic season and topped the IPL run charts, which earned him a maiden call-up for India’s five-match Test series that begins on 20 June in Leeds.

Ahead of this big moment, Sudharsan says he’s closely followed the path of his city-mate, Washington Sundar. "I've played a few games against him, so it is always special," he told BCCI.tv, adding, "We've looked up to him a lot...the way he went up and the way he played for the country, it was really quick and I had that in my mind."

Inspired By One Who Walked The Path

Sudharsan highlights Sundar's rapid rise from IPL success to national selection as a motivating example. “It was great to see him – a few years of IPL, he did well in IPL, then he played for the country, so it was a great motivator for me from Chennai," he explained. “Knowing him from young, playing with him – it’s kind of an inspiration where it made me feel that I also want to do the same way."

Washington Sundar, now an all‑rounder with important Test credentials, returned the compliment, praising Sudharsan. He remarked that his Chennai peer “has always grown with his cricketing career in the last three‑four years, and he's managed to get better every year." He added, "Everytime I have watched him on TV, there was a lot to take away from him and from his skill sets and the kind of work ethics that he has got. He has definitely inspired a lot of kids, especially in Chennai and I am sure he's going to continue to inspire so many more around the world."

With the England Test series kicking off soon, Sudharsan's story promises to bring attention not just to his batting, but also to the spirit of mentorship and hometown pride that’s lifting him. His journey mirrors that of Sundar’s surge into the Test arena, showing the impact regional role models can have on rising stars.

As India commence a new cycle in the World Test Championship, Sudharsan will hope to follow Sundar’s blueprint: IPL brilliance, fast-tracked selection, and an impactful performance at the Test level. His promise as an exciting left-handed batting talent may just be amplified by this undercurrent of hometown camaraderie — and the bar already set high by his townsman.

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