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Sai Sudharsan had just returned from injury, and he is now suffering another setback. The India international suffered a minor injury scare while fielding for Tamil Nadu on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday. The left-handed batsman hobbled off the field after attempting to stop a forceful cover drive but later returned to open the batting, only to be dismissed for three runs.
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Sai Sudharsan suffers another injury at Ranji Trophy ahead of New Zealand tour
The incident occurred early on Day 2. Sudharsan was positioned at cover when Rajasthan’s Karan Lamba drove a delivery from medium-pacer P. Saravana Kumar. As the Tamil Nadu fielder threw himself down to cut off the boundary, the ball struck his knee, causing immediate discomfort. He remained on the ground as the team physiotherapist rushed out to assess him. A member of the support staff then helped the 24-year-old hobble off the field.
How serious is Sai Sudharsan’s injury?
The good news is that there is not much to worry about, as previously. The sources within the Tamil Nadu camp confirmed that the injury was not serious. Sudharsan was seen applying an ice pack in the dugout and was expected to resume if the discomfort did not worsen. During the lunch interval, he took throwdowns and warmed up with the bat, signalling his fitness to continue. When Tamil Nadu began their reply, he opened the innings alongside N. Jagadeesan but managed only three runs before being dismissed.
However, the scare comes at a delicate time for the promising top-order batsman when he is needed to be 100 percent fit. The player had just recently returned to competitive cricket after recovering from a stress reaction in his right big toe that forced him out of India’s Test series in Sri Lanka earlier in the year. He rebuilt match fitness during India A’s series against Australia A in Puducherry, where he scored useful runs, including a half-century. Those performances earned him a place in the India A squad for three red-ball matches against New Zealand A, due to begin in Lincoln on 26 October.
Sudharsan’s inclusion in Tamil Nadu’s side for this Ranji Trophy fixture was itself a late development. He was not originally named in the squad but flew in from Puducherry, arriving at the team hotel just ahead of the clash, while he was added by the team management in the playing XI.
Sai Sudharsan powers Rajasthan to build strong performance at Ranji Trophy in opener
On Day 1, he took the field as Rajasthan built a strong platform, with Karan Lamba scoring a century and debutant Rohan Rajbhar falling just short of one. The team eventually recorded 363 in their first innings. Lamba finished with 113, while Mahipal Lomror contributed a solid 66. Tamil Nadu’s bowlers, led by Saravana Kumar and Deepesh Devendran, shared the wickets as the hosts were bowled out on the second day. Sudharsan’s early exit from the field and modest return with the bat left the visitors needing a strong collective effort with the bat to stay competitive.
A look at Sai Sudharsan’s recent injuries and performance
This latest setback forms part of a frustrating injury sequence for Sudharsan this year. He sustained an undisplaced rib fracture in January that sidelined him for a period, followed by the toe problem that kept him out of the Sri Lanka tour. His replacement in that series, Devdutt Padikkal, made a strong impression with twin centuries, increasing competition for middle-order and opening places.
Sudharsan has played seven Tests for India, where he has averaged 32 with a highest score of 87, and remains highly regarded for his technique and temperament. He also features prominently for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, following the latest injury scare, he will be monitored by the management in the coming days.
While early indications suggest the knee issue is minor and should not prevent him from travelling with India A, any recurrence would raise questions about his readiness for the higher intensity of international red-ball cricket. The India senior team is also preparing for a bilateral series against New Zealand later in the year, including Tests, and selectors will want clarity on the fitness of fringe candidates such as Sudharsan.
India A vs New Zealand A tour schedule
Meanwhile, India and India A will simultaneously tour New Zealand this year. While the senior team is set for all three formats, India A will play a three-match multi-day series against New Zealand A. The tour for India A begins on October 24 and will run until October 27 in Lincoln. This will be followed by the second match from October 31 to November 3 in Christchurch. The third and final match will return to Lincoln from 7 to 10 November.
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