Indian cricket team management, through batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, keenly observes young left-hander Sai Sudharsan not just by his scores but by the nuanced development of his innings. Kotak highlighted Sudharsan`s impressive knock of 87 on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies, which helped silence his critics after a modest start to his Test career.
“We always look beyond the score; we assess how a batsman constructs his innings, his pacing, and his shot selection. Sometimes, a couple of low scores can happen, but he batted brilliantly today,” Kotak stated after the day`s play. He emphasized that numbers alone don`t reveal the full story of Sudharsan`s potential.
Kotak found Sudharsan`s composure under pressure particularly noteworthy. “Did anyone feel he was under pressure while he was batting?” Kotak counter-questioned. “He`s mentally very tough; you`ll never see him waver or alter his playing style. He always bats on merit, and he showed that today.”
However, Kotak admitted that Sudharsan`s development remains “a work in progress,” specifically regarding his approach to certain deliveries from slow bowlers. “We`ve been discussing how he sometimes plays very full balls on the back foot. We`re actively working to correct that, and he`s fully aware and trying to adapt,” Kotak revealed.
Kotak described Sudharsan as primarily a back-foot player, a technique honed on the turning pitches of Tamil Nadu, which paradoxically allows him to generate unusual power and control. “Coming from Tamil Nadu, Sai is accustomed to turning wickets, making him proficient against spin. His back-foot game is exceptional, and he plays unique shots from that stance, negotiating many balls on the back foot where most players would use their front foot.”
Citing an example, Kotak pointed to Jomel Warrican`s left-arm spin delivery that trapped Sudharsan leg-before. “If he had played that same length ball outside the off-stump line from the front foot, the impact would have been outside the off-stump,” Kotak explained.
Despite this specific area for refinement, Kotak praised Sudharsan`s ability to generate immense power off his back foot, a rare quality in young batters. “The power Sai generates with his bat swing from the back foot is incredible. Some of his shots, especially through covers and mid-wicket, are his real strength.”
Kotak believes Sudharsan`s game has no significant weaknesses. “Whether it`s spinners or fast bowlers, he bats equally well. I`ve observed him for the past two or three years, including in India A and England A series where he scored two hundreds in three games. I don`t think the wicket conditions heavily impact him. That said, he`s an exceptionally good player on turning tracks and knows precisely what areas he needs to improve.”
Regarding the approach to spinners, Kotak noted that while past generations often stepped out, there`s no single prescribed method today. “We don`t need every player to have a specific type of game. Some, like KL or Gill, might step out against flighted deliveries, but it`s not a mandatory approach.” Comparing Sudharsan`s style to Cheteshwar Pujara`s proactive batting against spinners, Kotak remarked, “Pujara had a distinct game, loving to step out to make bowlers bowl short for a cut shot. His game was tailored to his preferences, trying to dictate the bowler. But every player has different strengths.”
