Team India have suffered another setback ahead of their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. After Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan has also been ruled out, and his absence has raised questions over India’s original squad selection.
The biggest question is not simply about Sudharsan getting injured. Injuries are part of cricket and can happen to any player.
The debate is around the decision to select Sudharsan subject to fitness clearance when India had other fit batters available, including a player like Sarfaraz Khan who has scored heavily in domestic cricket.
This has led to criticism of the selection decision involving the Indian team management and selectors, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
But how fair is that criticism?
Sarfaraz Khan-Sai Sudharsan Selection Debate Gets Bigger
There is an important difference between the situations involving Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan.
Bumrah was also selected subject to fitness clearance. However, giving Bumrah until the last possible moment to prove his fitness is understandable.
He has delivered consistently for India at the highest level and remains one of the most important players in the Test side. If Bumrah becomes available, the entire Indian bowling attack looks stronger.
The question being raised over Sudharsan is different.
Has Sudharsan done enough in Test or domestic cricket to receive the same treatment?
That is where the selection decision can certainly be questioned.
Sudharsan is a talented batter and could have a long Test career ahead of him. However, he has not yet established himself at No. 3 to the extent that India cannot look at another option.
If there were serious doubts over his fitness before the squad was finalised, selecting another fit batter would also have been a reasonable decision.
Should Sarfaraz Khan Have Been Selected Instead?
This brings Sarfaraz Khan back into the discussion.
Sarfaraz has scored heavily in domestic cricket and has already represented India in Test cricket. His ability to play spin could also have been useful in Sri Lankan conditions.
Therefore, the question is simple: if Sudharsan was not fully fit, why wasn’t Sarfaraz or another fit batter selected from the beginning?
Had Sarfaraz been included in the original squad, he would have travelled with the team, trained in Sri Lankan conditions and had time to adjust before the Test series.
Instead, India now have to consider their options close to the start of the series.
This does not prove that Sudharsan was selected specifically to keep Sarfaraz out. There is no evidence to establish such a claim.
However, the decision to keep backing a player whose availability depended on fitness clearance can certainly be debated when India had several other batting options.
Has Sai Sudharsan Done Enough to Own the No. 3 Spot?
Another important part of this debate is Sudharsan’s position in the Indian Test team.
There is no question about his talent. But talent and being an automatic selection are two different things.
Sudharsan has not yet done enough in Test cricket to make the No. 3 position completely his own.
India have considerable batting depth, and there are several players competing for limited positions. In such a situation, performances should remain an important part of the selection discussion.
That is also why Sudharsan being selected subject to fitness clearance has attracted attention.
If a player has already established himself as one of the team’s most important performers, waiting for his fitness makes sense. Bumrah is a clear example.
Whether Sudharsan had earned that same level of backing is a fair question to ask.
Is Team India Giving Preference to Certain Players?
Whether Sarfaraz Khan has been ignored or not is a different discussion. However, since the beginning of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, there has been a perception that certain players have received more backing and opportunities than others, irrespective of their performances.
Players like Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Sai Sudharsan have received consistent backing from the team management. This has raised questions over whether Gambhir and the current management have a stronger preference for certain players compared to other deserving contenders.
Devdutt Padikkal Gives India a Strong Backup Option
Fortunately for India, they already have Devdutt Padikkal available.
Padikkal has strengthened his case with a century in the warm-up match and now looks like a strong option to replace Sudharsan at No. 3.
That means Sudharsan’s absence does not necessarily leave a major hole in India’s playing XI.
In fact, Padikkal now has an excellent opportunity.
If he gets the No. 3 position and scores runs, India could face another interesting selection question when Sudharsan becomes available again.
Would the team immediately return to Sudharsan, or would Padikkal deserve an extended run?
That competition could ultimately be good for Indian cricket.
