Sai Sudharsan has returned to competitive cricket after missing India’s two-match Test series in Sri Lanka due to a toe injury, during which he was replaced by Devdutt Padikkal at number three. On October 6, 2026, in India A’s maiden four-day match against Australia A in Puducherry, the 24-year-old batter scored a half-century.
He struck eight and twelve in the second four-dayer as India A continued to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australia A tour consists of two first-class and three List A games, allowing India A to refine its tactics against strong opponents.
Sai Sudharsan shared his thoughts on the India A team, which has several players with senior international experience.
Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudharsan, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad are all members of the India A squad and have represented India at the highest level.
The top-order mix includes Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Arshin Kulkarni, making the opening and middle-order positions tough. Sai Sudharsan has taken a position that prioritises performance and personal growth rather than viewing this as a direct conflict.
A-team cricket’s intensity and worth
Sai Sudharsan highlighted the significance of the Australia A tour in preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcasing the intensity and value of A-team cricket. L Balaji, India A’s head coach, has emphasised how shadow tours can improve bowling, batting, and decision-making across formats.
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The BCCI’s scheduling of multiple teams in various locations demonstrated the breadth of India’s cricket organization at the time.
