Sudharsan showcased his talent in the IPL, amassing 759 runs at an average of 54.21 for Gujarat Titans. Following his team’s loss in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians on Friday night, he now shifts his attention to red-ball cricket.
The left-handed batsman, who represented Surrey over the last few seasons, was slated to participate in the second India A versus England match in Northampton starting June 6, but he is uncertain about that possibility. The Test squad is set to depart for the United Kingdom on June 6.
“I have played seven games in county cricket, which provided me valuable experience; it significantly enhanced my batting technique and reinforced the importance of the fundamentals in batting.
“Therefore, I believe this will benefit me, and I will concentrate on the lessons I’ve learned and be mindful of those principles before the series,” Sudharsan remarked in response to a PTI inquiry.
He acknowledged the challenge of shifting away from white-ball habits immediately, but with the first Test scheduled for June 20, he has adequate time to prepare for the English summer.
“Certainly, after a long three months of white-ball tournaments, certain adjustments may have occurred in your batting. I think it will take some time to refocus on the fundamentals and transition back to red-ball cricket, but we have ample time before the series begins.
“Initially, our plan was to leave IPL on the 4th, so we didn’t consider when to depart for India A or the Test team; however, if that was the plan, the Test team would have departed on the 6th. Now, we will need to discuss and see how things unfold,” shared the elegant opener.
There’s still much to improve as a T20 batter
Sudharsan captivated audiences with his graceful strokeplay throughout the season in a format often dominated by power hitters. His skillful ability to find gaps and rotate the strike helped him sustain a strike rate over 150. Alongside Shubman Gill, Sudharsan formed the most effective opening partnership in IPL 2025.
When asked if he anticipates being selected for the India T20 squad after a remarkable IPL, he responded: “Playing for the country is undoubtedly a dream for everyone, so I would love that. However, I’m not focused on that right now, because looking back on the season, I have numerous areas to improve upon as a T20 batter.
“There are various aspects of the game, or different areas I need to enhance when I resume T20 play. My focus is primarily on that, but when an opportunity arises, I will give my utmost for the country,” said the humble batsman.
Reflecting on his impressive IPL season, Sudharsan noted that it doesn’t compensate for the disappointment of his team not achieving their ultimate goal.
“While it’s nice to know that I had a good season and was consistent for my team, there’s no ultimate satisfaction when the task remains unfinished upon returning home.
“There’s certainly a sense of disappointment in the atmosphere because of the way we performed in the first 12 or 13 games, which was truly commendable as a group, even when viewed from the outside in a season like this.”
