Follow UsOne of the most anticipated Test debuts in recent memory ended in anti-climax as Sai Sudharsan departed for a duck on day one of the Headingley Test. Sudharsan walked in to bat following a 91-run opening stand, but lasted only four balls as he tickled one down leg from Ben Stokes to the wicketkeeper to head back to the shed.
It was a very soft dismissal, and many pointed out the irony of Sudharsan departing for a duck on Test debut, since he’s someone who has never been dismissed for a duck in the IPL, to date.
However, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik threw his weight behind the youngster and claimed that he is unquestionably ‘ready’ for Test cricket.
"He is a very solid technician, very aware of what his strengths are and he's improved on his weaknesses. He is ready for Test cricket. It's just that the grind will teach him how to become a better player,” Karthik said of Sudharsan.
Karthik felt that nerves got the better of Sudharsan on the day, but backed him to bounce back strong very soon.
“Yes there was a leg-side trap laid for him, but it was probably more nerves than anything that he ended up getting out the way he did. And it's a totally understandable dismissal. But at the end of the day, I have no doubt that Sudharsan will grab this opportunity with both hands,” Karthik said.
Sudharsan’s dismissal didn’t affect the Indian side one bit, though, as they finished day one on 359/3, with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill peeling off tons.