‘He gave me a lot of support’ - Sai Sudharsan praises Gautam Gambhir for backing him in Tests

Indian Test top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has praised India head coach Gautam Gambhir for offering him unconditional support during a challenging start to his Test career. The left-hander scored 140 runs at an average of 23.33 in his debut Test series on the tour of England, and managed just seven runs in his only innings in the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad earlier this month.

Sudharsan admitted that he felt some pressure heading into the second Test in Delhi, but a reassuring conversation with Gambhir helped him relax and regain confidence. Responding strongly, he scored 87 and 39 as India clinched the match by seven wickets, sealing the series 2–0.

"The support has been impeccable. After the first game in Ahmedabad, we were practicing at the Feroz Shah Kotla nets. As always, I was the last to come out of the nets. GG [Gambhir] sir called me and said, 'You are not getting desperate. You are one of the best players in the country. So do not think about any of the other things. Don't think that you have to score runs in this game or what will happen if you don't’,” said Sudharsan, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"He told me, 'You will play.' The way he said that gave me so much confidence and freedom. I was trying to be more free and not think about external factors or the magnitude of things. But when you hear it from the head coach himself, the perspective and environment change drastically. That helped me express myself better as well. Even in that game [2nd Test], I wasn't in a mindset just to get runs, I was in a mindset to fight and win for the team, to dominate for the team,” he added.

Sudharsan said that his knocks in the second Test against the West Indies gave him a much-needed confidence boost. However, he emphasised that he does not want to burden himself with the pressure of living up to the legacy of some of India’s great No. 3 batters from the past.

"I take it game by game, inning by inning, look at the situation, and react as best as I can. Playing for India, there's so much competition. So many great cricketers who have done well, are doing well, and will continue to do well. I'm not looking at a spot to cement or thinking about securing a place. I'm playing for a reason and that is to win games and fight for my team. That's my mindset when I walk in,” said Sudharsan.

"When I think about sealing a spot or playing for safety, I tend to go defensive and play for myself, which I definitely don't want to do. I look at it from a different perspective - to win one session at a time and make a difference there. Runs will be a byproduct of that process,” he added.

Sudharsan acknowledged the challenges that come with batting at No. 3, noting that he has primarily played as an opener for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket.

"It's a great responsibility, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. No. 3 is also like an opening spot. There's not a big difference, to be honest. But playing for India, wherever we get an opportunity, we have to be on point, not just fill a place but be really ready for whichever spot we play,” said Sudharsan.

"We have great examples. Like KL [Rahul] bhai, who has played in almost all positions and is so versatile. We can learn from him. We have to be ready for all those challenges. I wouldn't say I prefer one or the other. I've played quite a lot at No. 3, even in the IPL, and when I was younger in the Under-14s and Under-16s also I've batted at No. 3. So I enjoy both. It's not a big difference,” he added.