Unflappable Sudharsan: Batting Coach Kotak Praises His Steady Style Ahead of IND vs WI 2nd Test

Sai Sudharsan is beginning to establish himself in international cricket, achieving his second Test fifty during the second match against the West Indies in New Delhi. Despite a bumpy start in Test cricket, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak emphasized that Sudharsan has remained resilient.

Kotak remarked, “We all recognize his talent. Rather than focusing solely on the score, we consider how he’s batting, his pacing, and the shots he plays. Anyone can falter in a couple of innings, but he batted brilliantly today. He’s mentally very resilient; you won’t see him under pressure or altering his style. He plays on merit, as he did today.”

Before this performance, Sudharsan had accumulated 147 runs from seven innings, with his development closely monitored. He seized the moment in batter-friendly conditions after India lost KL Rahul early on. His significant partnership of 193 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal propelled India forward in the match.

Sudharsan effectively used the crease to handle spinners, favoring back foot play to drive through the V. Kotak noted, “Coming from Tamil Nadu, where they often play on turning pitches, he’s adept against spin. His back foot game is impressive, with shots that not many play. While many would play those balls off the front foot, he manages them on the back foot.”

However, his back foot preference led to his dismissal by Jomel Warrican, when a delivery kept low, trapping him in front just 13 runs short of a century. Kotak highlighted, “We focus on him choosing the right foot for certain lengths. He knows when to go on the front foot, especially for balls outside off stump.”

The article also highlights Jaiswal’s performance, who hit his seventh Test century, pacing his innings well under the conditions. Jaiswal ended the day on 173, nearing his third double century. Kotak praised Jaiswal’s strategy of adapting to conditions, particularly as the pitch changed throughout the day. Jaiswal and Sudharsan’s efforts placed India at 318 for two at day’s end.

Meanwhile, West Indies’ assistant coach Floyd Reifer acknowledged the challenges his team faced, recognizing the discrepancy in standards compared to top-tier teams like India.

Jayden Seales showed promise in the initial hours, extracting movement, but his effectiveness diminished as the day continued, leaving him without a wicket in 16 overs. Reifer expressed that Seales, playing in India for the first time and missing senior teammate Alzarri Joseph, would gain vital experience. Seales’ task is to maintain consistency on flatter pitches to succeed in future matches.

Published on October 10, 2025.