Sai Sudarshan's Gritty Comeback: From Bench to Breaking an 89-Year-Old Record

Sai Sudarshan’s journey in the England Test series has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, marked by early setbacks, self-reflection, and a remarkable comeback. After a disappointing debut in the Leeds Test where he failed to make an impact—scoring a duck in the first innings and only 30 in the second—he was dropped from the playing XI by head coach Gautam Gambhir for the next two matches. But in the fourth Test at Manchester, Sai turned adversity into motivation, crafting a gritty half-century that not only silenced critics but also shattered an 89-year-old record.

Speaking after the first day’s play, Sai Sudarshan revealed the emotional toll of being benched and how he responded. “I was disappointed after being dropped. I always want to contribute and be out there for my team. But I took that phase as a challenge, worked on my mindset, and focused on my game,” he shared in an interview with former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta. “I don’t like sitting on the bench. So I channeled that frustration into discipline and hard work.”

His efforts bore fruit in Manchester, where he scored 61 off 151 deliveries, including 7 boundaries. While he regretted not converting the start into a century, the knock was significant in more ways than one. Batting at number 3, Sudarshan broke a record set back in 1936 by Kotar Ramaswamy, who had scored 60 runs at the same venue and position. With this 61-run knock, Sudarshan now holds the record for the highest score by an Indian at number 3 in Manchester.

Interestingly, Sudarshan’s return to the side was triggered by Karun Nair’s poor form, who replaced him at Edgbaston and Lord’s but failed to deliver. When the opportunity came again, Sudarshan made sure not to let it slip, proving his mental toughness and ability to rise under pressure.

This comeback innings isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a strong message of resilience and readiness. Sai Sudarshan’s story is a testament to how setbacks, when faced with the right attitude, can become the stepping stones to historic achievements.