Sai Sudharsan Rings Alarm For Yashasvi Jaiswal; Why Shubman Gill Must Be Relieved?

Sai Sudharsan challenges Jaiswal's spot [Source: AFP]

Sai Sudharsan sustained his purple patch in the India-A vs Sri Lanka-A Test series, amassing a sensational century in the second match of the series. Sudharsan, who bats at number three for India in Tests, has thus auditioned for the opening slot, enjoying stellar success at the top of the order in Sri Lanka. 

Led by Shubman Gill, India will face Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series in August this year. While Sudharsan's exceptional form has ensured his selection in the Indian Test XI, it has also raised concerns for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hasn't had much success with the bat recently. 

Sai Sudharsan's performance as opener and no. 3 batter decoded

(Sai Sudharsan in First-Class and Domestics as opener and no. 3)

As evidenced by the above stats, Sai Sudharsan has performed better as an opener than a number three batter in First-Class and domestic cricket. He has also played twelve Test innings for India at three, scoring 383 runs at a modest average of 31.92. 

Sudharsan kick-started his First-Class career as an opener for Tamil Nadu, amassing 572 runs, with two sublime hundreds, in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 edition. 

Although he switched to the number three slot in the Duleep Trophy 2024, Sudharsan was preferred for the opening slot ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the India-A vs Sri Lanka-A series. 

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The move paid rich dividends for India-A, as the southpaw racked up two daddy hundreds. He has already scored 307 runs in just three innings, showcasing his ability to thrive at the opening slot. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal's dip in form as a Test opener

On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal had an outstanding start to his Test career, slamming a flamboyant century against West Indies at Windsor Park in 2023. The southpaw extended his dream run in 2024; however, his batting form dipped from 2025 onwards. 

(Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting form worsened from 2025)

The data presented in the above table shows a sharp decline in Yashasvi Jaiswal's performance as India's Test opener in recent times. The left-handed batter has managed 769 runs in 20 Test innings, averaging less than 39 since 2025. 

Although he had a promising start to his career, Jaiswal was exposed to quality attacks in seam-friendly conditions. The emergence of data analytics has helped the opponents find out Jaiswal's weaknesses and restrict him to low scores in the purest format. 

Why is Sai Sudharsan's success as opener a relieving sign for Shubman Gill and India?

Yashasvi Jaiswal's torrid run has coincided with Sai Sudharsan's rise, and the Tamil Nadu batter has exhibited remarkable consistency for India-A in Sri Lankan conditions. 

As India are due to play two Tests in Sri Lanka in August, Sai Sudharsan's exceptional outings in the Island Nation are undoubtedly a positive sign for captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

Sudharsan has proved that he can adapt to the conditions and emerge as the backbone of the Indian batting during their visit to Sri Lanka. 

Shubman Gill shares a special camaraderie with Sai Sudharsan, as the duo opens the batting for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. They have been incredible as opening batters for the Titans, scoring 2148 runs, including 16 fifty-plus partnerships, in 34 innings. 

So, considering Sudharsan has shown his calibre to succeed as an opening batter, his red-hot form in the India-A vs Sri Lanka-A series has relieved the Indian think tank amid Yashasvi Jaiswal's topsy-turvy run, empowering them with a quality backup for the Mumbaikar. 

Sai Sudharsan vs Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Devdutt Padikkal: India's top order battle intensifies

While Sai Sudharsan has presented a strong case for his promotion to the opening slot, Devdutt Padikkal has shown readiness to take up the number three position. 

Padikkal, who has 3706 runs at an average of 42.59 in 92 First-Class innings, is in India's scheme of things for quite a while now. 

However, he has failed to break into the playing XI, with the Indian team preferring Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan as the top-order batters alongside KL Rahul. 

Despite being ignored in the Test setup, Padikkal has consistently churned runs in red-ball cricket. 

In the ongoing series against Sri Lanka-A, the Karnataka batter has clobbered 173 runs, including two fifties, at a solid average of 57.67. 

So, Yashasvi Jaiswal's position is indeed at stake, and if he doesn't make his bat do the talking, Shubman Gill will have some valid reasons to promote Sai Sudharsan to the opening position and make Devdutt Padikkal India's number three batter in the long run. 

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