Published: Jun 20, 2025, 09:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 20, 2025, 09:45 PM (IST)
Sai Sudarshan made his debut in red-ball format on Day 1 of the 1st Test of the five-match series between India and England. He was the highest run-scorer and the Orange Cap holder in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, and received his Test cap from Cheteshwar Pujara. However, he failed to do any impressive outcome while playing for the first time in whites for the nation, as he got dismissed for a four-ball duck.
Sai Sudarshan’s first time on the pitch while playing Test cricket was cut short as he got dismissed by England captain Ben Stokes. Sudarshan nicked a delivery going down the leg, and the wicketkeeper Jamie Smith leaped towards his right to secure the catch.
Even though it would be too early to make any decision about Sai Sudarshan as he managed to play only 4 balls, fans are not happy with the selectors’ decision to include Sai in the very first place. Sudarshan being named in the squad came at the expense of Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was once again ignored even after having a spectacular domestic season.
Abhimanyu Easwaran had received his maiden call-up in the year 2022, but he is yet to make his debut for Indian national side. Looking at this, fans have slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for favouring players who performed well in IPL.
It's just a social media pressure that's why BCCI picked Abhimanyu Easwaran in the team.
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) June 20, 2025
He is never going to get a game for india in near future.He was benched in Australia and will countine to do so in other SENA countries.BCCI thinks he can only survive in Indian pitches. pic.twitter.com/XEQy2XW0Mc
Sai Sudarshan out for 4 balls duck:
— MachisKiTeeli (@machiskiteeli) June 20, 2025
1st ball – Huge appeal,
2nd ball – Dot,
3rd ball – Huge appeal,
4th ball – Out
3 out of 4 balls were nightmare and that is what happens when you ignores merit of Easwaran. Still all love to Sudarshan, he will come back. pic.twitter.com/XmWSJuQtUp
What about A Easwaran? He performs well at the domestic level every year and is consistently being selected in the team, but he is not being given a chance to play. Sai Sudharsan is a good player, but Easwaran should have been given a chance before him.#ENGvIND #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/q5fQakLTvv
— kuldeep singh (@kuldeep0745) June 20, 2025
Abhimanyu Easwaran deserved a chance in 1st match. Bcci is treating him like untouchable.
— Mankirat Singh (@rock0010000) June 20, 2025
Ipl can't be criteria for selection in tests. pic.twitter.com/VgMFgtRBt8
The Venues and schedule for the whole series:
1) First Test: June 20-24, Headingley (Leeds)
2) Second Test: July 2-6, Edgbaston (Birmingham)
3) Third Test: July 10-14, Lord’s (London)4)
4) Fourth Test, July 23-27, Old Trafford (Manchester)
5)Fifth Test: July 31- August 4, The Oval (London)
India’s squad:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Overton, Samuel James Cook, Jacob Bethell.
