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"He told me you'll play": Sai Sudharsan reveals how Gambhir helped him in Test cricket

Akshita Patel

Sai Sudharsan's pep talk with Gautam Gambhir [Source: @trudi33579, @academy_dinda/X.com]Sai Sudharsan's pep talk with Gautam Gambhir [Source: @trudi33579, @academy_dinda/X.com]

Sometimes, all it takes is one sentence to turn a player’s mindset around. For India’s young batter Sai Sudharsan, that sentence came from none other than head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Sai, who had a rough start to his Test career, was feeling the pressure after a few low scores, including just seven runs in the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad. 

But when the team moved to Delhi for the next match, a quiet conversation in the Feroz Shah Kotla nets changed everything.

Sai Sudharsan reveals a special chat with Gautam Gambhir

Talking to the press in Bengaluru ahead of India A's match vs South Africa A, Sai Sudharsan said Gautam Gambhir assured him of a spot in the Test team. 

"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 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.'' Sudharsan said.

It wasn’t a long speech. It wasn’t a technical talk. But the belief Gambhir showed in his young player gave Sai the calm he needed to rediscover his game. 

"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," he added.

That very week, Sai responded with scores of 87 and 39, helping India seal a 2-0 Test series win over the West Indies. 

For a 23-year-old still finding his feet in international cricket, those words were priceless. Gambhir’s message was simple that don’t chase success, but play for the team.

Sai Sudharsan refuses to chase fame 

Interestingly, Sai Sudharsan’s rise has been quick. From a consistent IPL performer for the Gujarat Titans to India’s no. 3 in Tests, he has impressed many with his attitude. 

However, he clarified that he isn’t chasing fame or security in the team. 

"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. 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," Sudharsan also said.

Now, Sai Sudharsan will also get a taste of leadership responsibilities as he is being chosen as the vice-captain for the India A team in the ongoing red-ball series vs South Africa A.