Page 38 - The Indian EYE 051625

STUMP VISION MAY 16, 2025 | The Indian Eye 38

Shubhman Gill (ANI) Ruturaj Gaikwad (ANI)

SAI SUDHARSAN of conditions make him a great option to have as RUTURAJ GAIKWAD
a Test opener.
n option never tried. Sudharsan, from his he Maharashtra batter is yet to play a Test
for India, having scored 119 runs in six ODIs
county records and India ‘A’ team stats, KL RAHUL
Aone could easily tell he has the game for Tand 633 runs in 23 T20Is with a century and
long formats and could go a long way as an open- L’s case is a curious one. Since his debut four fifties. He does not have the most eye-catch-
ing first-class record either, having made 2,632 runs
er across all formats. In 29 first-class matches, the in 2014, KL is India’s most prolific opener at an average of 41.77, with seven centuries and 14
Tamil Nadu batter has scored 1,957 runs at an av- Kstatistically, scoring 2,803 runs at an aver- fifties and the best score of 195. His internation-
erage of 39.93, with seven centuries and five fifties. age of 35.03 in 48 Tests and 83 innings, with seven al experience, his ability to take down world-class
His best score is 213. centuries and 14 fifties. His catalogue of centuries international bowlers as evident in the IPL, could
Sudharsan brings valuable experience in En- includes masterclass centuries in England, South
glish conditions, where India will be touring for Africa, and spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka, make selectors give him a go.
their five-Test series for kickstarting their ICC other than a solid record at home.
World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cam- However, KL is vulnerable to peaking too ear- ABHIMANYU EASWARAN
paign, having turned out for Surrey in the County ly in a series and following one excellent perfor- The Bengal domestic cricket stalwart has
Championship in 2023 and 2024. In five matches, mance with a string of low scores and sometimes, made it to the Indian Test squad numerous times
he scored 281 runs, including a century and a fifty. succumbing to pressure. After a brief stint in mid- as a back-up, but is yet to get the coveted Indian
He had also scored a century against Austra- dle-order, KL returned to the opening during the cap. With 101 first-class games, 7,674 runs at an
lia A at Mackay last year, a knock of 103 in 200 away Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year, scoring average of 48.87, 27 centuries and 29 fifties behind
balls, which highlighted his ability to stick around 252 runs in four matches and eight innings at an him, Easwaran surely does make for a tempting
for long. Last year against England Lions at home, average of 36.00, with two half-centuries and the option. But his poor performances against Austra-
Sudharsan top-scored for India with 221 runs in two best score of 84. But he failed to deliver massive lia A in Australia, where he scored just 36 runs in
matches, with a century and a half-century each. contributions at Adelaide (37 and 7) and Sydney four innings, might have pushed his name down in
Sudharsan’s ability to score runs in a variety (4 and 13), which contributed to India’s series loss. the pecking order.

Thank you, Cap: Tributes pour in for Rohit

s Rohit Sharma brings the curtain down ber forever. Happy retirement to @rohitsharma45 en Test cap by the ‘Master Blaster’ at the iconic
on his illustrious Test career, tributes have -- one of the best captains that I’ve played under. Eden Gardens, and he made the fixture one to
Abeen pouring in from across the cricket- Thank you Cap!” remember with his blistering 177, claiming the
ing world. One of the most heartfelt messages India’s ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar on Player of the Match award. Sachin fondly re-
came from young Indian opener Shubman Gill. Thursday said Rohit Sharma’s cricket journey has called the moment when he congratulated Rohit
He took to Instagram to thank his former been remarkable and he has given his best to the on his Test career and wished him the best as he
skipper and acknowledge the impact Rohit had Indian cricket as a player and captain. continues to lead India in the ODI format.
on his career. In his remarks, a day after Rohit Sharma an- “I remember presenting you with your Test
Posting a story on his official Instagram han- nounced his retirement from Test cricket, Tendulkar cap in 2013 at Eden Gardens and then standing
dle, Gill wrote, recalled the Hitman making his debut in Test cricket. with you on the balcony of Wankhede Stadium
“India is grateful for what you’ve done in Donning the white jersey, Rohit made his the other day - your journey has been a remark-
the Tests as a player and a captain. You’ve been long-awaited debut in the format in 2013 against able one. From then to now, you have given your
an absolute inspiration to me and everyone that the West Indies, the same Tests remembered as best to Indian cricket as a player and as a captain.
has played with or against you. There are things Sachin’s farewell series. Well done, Rohit, on your Test career, and best
I’ve learnt from you that I’m going to remem- The young Rohit was presented with his maid- wishes for what lies ahead,” Sachin wrote on X.

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