“I wouldn’t say he should be a certainty” - World Cup winner criticises Sai Sudharsan after India's clean sweep on West Indies

Published - 15 Oct 2025, 13:41 IST | Updated - 15 Oct 2025, 14:36 IST

1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth praised Sai Sudharsan's batting, especially off the backfoot, during the two-match Test series between India and the West Indies. The Tamil Nadu batter was dismissed for 87 in the first innings of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. However, Srikkanth urged the youngster to understand the importance of converting his half-centuries into tons.

Sudharsan made his Test debut during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He played three Tests against England on the tour but failed to make a mark, finishing with 140 runs at an average of 23.33. He was also dismissed cheaply in the first Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, his scores of 87 and 39 in the second Test will give him a lot of confidence heading into the upcoming series against South Africa in November.

Srikkanth, who played 43 Tests and 146 ODIs for India, believes that Sudharsan hasn't been able to cement his place in India's red-ball setup.

"I still feel we should wait for sometime. He played well, especially off the backfoot, but I wouldn't say he should be a certainty over the next two to three series so easily. But he should not have let go of such an easy century. There is a big difference between 87, why even 99, to a 100," Srikkanth responded on his YouTube channel.

"Once you score that 100, it's a different level. 90s, 50s and 70s are of no use compared to a 100. Irrespective of how much you fail, everyone will only ask for the number of hundreds. That's where Sai Sudharsan missed out," he added.

Srikkanth was impressed by Yashasvi Jaiswal's progress in international cricket. The cricketer-turned-expert said that Jaiswal is definitely an all-format player and lauded his ability to play his natural game in all situations.

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"100% he (Jaiswal) is an all-three-format player, no two ways about it. T20 his record is brilliant, in ODIs he will do very well but he has not been given ample chances. His game is natural and he plays his natural game without modifying. He is even charging medium pacers and smashing them at times," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).