Three reasons why Sai Sudharsan could be the perfect fit at No. 3 for India in T20Is

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Sai Sudharsan is a promising young talent in Indian cricket. He drew plaudits for his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. The Tamil Nadu-born isn't quite the aggressor in the truncated version but is gradually starting to perfect the art of playing the anchor role.

With the Indian batting great Virat Kohli calling it quits from T20Is, the No.3 spot is left vacant. Sai Sudharsan could be the potential candidate to anchor the innings at one down. It is worth noting that Sai has averaged 47 for Gujarat Titans in the last three seasons of the IPL.

With the increasing importance of a reliable No. 3 batter in the shortest format, the 22-year-old stands out as a promising candidate for this crucial position in the Indian lineup.

Sai who has played three ODIs for India is all set to make his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, with the T20I opener slated to be played on July 6, Saturday in Harare. In this article, let's now go through three reasons why Sai Sudharsan could be the right contestant at No. 3 in T20Is.

1. Student of the game: In the last few years, Sai Sudharsan has been on the learning curve, where he kept honing his skills to improve himself to a great extent. Be it fine-tuning his batting technique, willingness to take advice from coaches, seniors and mentors, Sai has been a great student of the game.

This goes to show that he is adaptable, committed and determined to get better over time. These qualities have helped him evolve as a cricketer and if he's backed properly, he could be the next big thing in Indian cricket.

2. Proven record at No. 3 in IPL: Sai Sudharsan has consistently chipped in with impactful performances at the No. 3 spot for the Ahmedabad-based franchise in the IPL. He showcased his ability to play according to the situation and has all the potential to anchor the innings while also accelerating when required.

In the last few seasons of the IPL, Sai proved that he can handle the pressure of coming in early, stabilizing the innings after the fall of an early wicket, and setting up a rock-solid foundation for the middle and lower order. Overall, he scored 1034 runs in 25 games, laced with 1 century and 6 fifties.

3. Handles both pace and spin: At such a young age, he possesses a strong technique that helps him to deal with both pace and spin, making him a thorn in the flesh for the opponents. Keeping this in mind, he can navigate different phases of the innings smoothly, making him a dependable and versatile option at No. 3.

If the young prospect keeps getting better, then he would be a tough nut to crack in the powerplay and the middle overs. In a format where the aggressive batters take the center-stage, Sai Sudharsan who plays an anchor role deserves equal praise as well.