Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Sai Sudharsan has all what it takes to fit in the India's squad for upcoming Test series against England, scheduled to be played between June and August. Ravi Shastri Shastri highlighted Sudharsan's prior experience in county cricket, combined with his solid and reliable batting technique, as key factors that make him a strong contender for the Indian squad. The Men in Blue will play a five-match Test series in England, which will mark the beginning of their campaign in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Ravi Shastri bats for Sai Sudharsan's selection in India's squad for England tour
Sai Sudharsan, who is running riot with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2025, has consistently displayed his capabilities in first-class cricket and has been a regular feature for India 'A' in their preparatory shadow tours. The left-handed batsman was on the verge of being selected for India's main squad for the opening Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series in Perth, following an injury to Shubman Gill. However, on that particular occasion, the selectors opted to include Devdutt Padikkal in the playing eleven.
The 23-year-old Sudharsan is currently enjoying a highly productive IPL 2025 season with the bat, where he has amassed 456 runs in nine matches for Gujarat Titans. Importantly, he has also gained significant experience playing red-ball cricket in English conditions through multiple stints with Surrey in county cricket. During his five appearances for Surrey, he scored a total of 281 runs, which included one century and one half-century, further underscoring his suitability for the upcoming Test series in England.
"I see this young man, Sai Sudharsan, for all formats of the game. He seems like a class player and my eyes would be on him certainly. Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique, the way he plays, I think he'll be top of the list for me from the outsiders wanting to get into this side," Ravi Shastri said on the ICC Review.
Since making his debut in first-class cricket in 2022, Sai Sudharsan has consistently amassed runs in the Indian domestic circuit. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, representing Tamil Nadu, he scored an impressive 304 runs in just three matches, a performance highlighted by a magnificent double century against Delhi, further solidifying his credentials as a talented red-ball player.
In discussing the composition of the Indian squad for the England tour, Ravi Shastri also taked about the importance of having a left-arm pace bowler to provide variety to the bowling attack. He specifically mentioned Arshdeep Singh as a potential candidate, noting his previous experience playing county cricket for Kent, which could be beneficial in the English conditions.
“I'll be looking for a left-armer. I'll be keeping an eye on which left-armer is in good form, and try and squeeze him in there as the sixth (bowling) option.“It could be anyone. It could even be a white-ball specialist. I don't like this thing when they say someone like Arshdeep Singh is a ‘white-ball specialist’," Shastri added.
“You need a left-armer, go and find him, whoever it is and whoever is the best of the lot – pick them. There's Khaleel Ahmed, who again, his rhythm is good, he's bowling well. So it's important to get that mix," he concluded.
India's last win in a Test series on English soil dates back to 2007, when they clinched a series victory under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. In their most recent tour to England, the series ended in a 2-2 draw.
India vs England's Test series schedule:
1st Test: 20-24 June, 2025 - Headlingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2-6 July, 2025 - Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10-14 July, 2025 - Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23-27 July, 2025 - Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July-4 August, 2025 - The Oval, London