Sudharsan 1st Indian player in 38 years to debut with sub-40 FC average

Sai Sudharsan marked his Test debut for India in the opening match of the five-Test series against England at Headingley on Friday. The left-handed batter entered the international red-ball arena with a first-class average of 39.93—placing him in a rare statistical category for Indian top-order batters.

 

Remarkably, Sudharsan becomes the first Indian top-order player in over three decades to make a Test debut with a first-class average below 40. The last instance dates back to 1987/88, when Woorkeri Raman debuted against the West Indies in Chennai with a sub-40 average. 

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Sai Sudharsan Career Stats
Format	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s	Ct
ODIs	3	3	1	127	62	63.5	142	89.43	0	2	17	1	1
T20Is	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
FC	29	49	0	1957	213	39.93	3554	55.06	7	5	205	10	20
List A	28	27	4	1396	154	60.69	1460	95.61	6	6	153	17	8
T20s	60	59	7	2271	108*	43.67	1645	138.05	2	14	228	56	16

 

Despite the modest number, Sudharsan's inclusion reflects India's faith in his temperament and recent form. Known for his calm presence and elegant strokeplay, the 22-year-old has already made an impression in domestic cricket and limited-overs internationals.

 

With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Tests, India’s batting line-up is undergoing a significant transition. Sudharsan’s promotion to the No. 3 spot signals a bold move by the team management, as India looks to build its next generation of red-ball mainstays.

 

All eyes will now be on Sudharsan to convert potential into performance in challenging English conditions.