Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has suggested that India should position Sai Sudharsan at number three in the Test batting order for the upcoming series against England, following Virat Kohli's retirement and the subsequent reshuffling of the batting lineup where Shubman Gill is expected to move to the number four position.
The vacancy at number three has emerged as Gill, who previously occupied that spot, is likely to shift down the order to fill the void left by Kohli at number four in the Test lineup.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sai Sudharsan's recent performances in the IPL have caught attention, where he secured the Orange Cap by scoring 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17, including one century and six fifties.
The left-handed batter also claimed the Emerging Player of the Year award, surpassing competitors like Priyansh Arya and Noor Ahmad.
"To me, this kid is a superstar, Sai Sudharsan. I think he is a number three in Test cricket. I think he is probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20I and ODI team. He is in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England," Clarke stated on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast.
Clarke expressed confidence in Sudharsan's abilities, particularly highlighting his technical prowess and mental readiness for the role.
"I think he can walk in straight to bat at number three. I think technically he's very good, he's got all the shots and mentally, he's ready. He really impressed me and he's a good looking player as well," Clarke shared.
Another contender for the number three position has emerged in Karun Nair, who recently scored a double century while batting at the same position during India A's first game on the England tour.
Both Gill and Sudharsan were scheduled to participate in the second four-day game, but their IPL commitments prevented their participation.
The two players will only have the opportunity to adjust to English conditions through an intra-squad game before the first Test match in Leeds.
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