23 June 2025: Sai Sudharsan made his red-ball debut for India in the ongoing first Test match against England. The GT star was disappointing in the first innings as he departed for a four-ball duck. But then managed to make a contribution in the second innings, registering 30 off 48 balls.
Batting at No. 3, he was also caught on camera before coming to the crease in the second innings. The broadcasters captured his preparations, as he looked at the ball and imaged the pitch, reflecting his mental readiness. Then he also wrote something on a notebook, similar to Rahul Dravid’s preparations.
Dravid was known to have kept a notebook during matches to record a game’s progress in his own scoring system. It was a way for him to review the game later as a student of the sport, and he also focussed on scoring the game in a way that’s easy to review.
Day 3 saw plenty of action as Harry Brook’s 99 and Jasprit Bumrah’s five-for entertained fans. The pair turned this match into a one-innings shootout, and by the close, the visitors converted their six-run advantage into a lead of 96 runs, and lost only two wickets. England’s Carse removed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 4 with a brilliant delivery, and then Ben Stokes dismissed Sudharsan for the second time in the match.
Rahul (47*) and Shubman Gill (6*) remained unbeaten for India, posting 90/2 at Stumps. The pair will resume batting on Day 4, with Rahul looking to get a ton.
Summary: On Test debut at Leeds, Sai Sudharsan stunned viewers with focused meditation—studying the ball, visualizing conditions, and jotting notes like Rahul Dravid—demonstrating mature mental prep.