Tamil Nadu cricketer Sai Sudharsan marked his ODI debut while receiving his cap from KL Rahul in the first game of the 3-match series against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 17.
The debutant received his India cap during the team huddle before the toss, where KL Rahul, leading the team, addressed the players. Sudharsan earned his chance through consistent performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the past few years.
Sai Sudharsan Receives His Debut Cap From KL Rahul
The young left-handed batter received his debut cap from captain KL Rahul, who is leading the Indian team in ODIs in South Africa for the second consecutive time. Sai Sudharsan was preferred over Rinku Singh and Rajat Patidar, who are also part of the ODI squad in South Africa.
Sai Sudharsan is ready to open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is also making a return to the ODI side after not getting an opportunity in the recently concluded T20I series in South Africa. India has also included Axar Patel back in the squad, who missed the T20I series. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer has been included in the white-ball tour for the last time, as he is set to be released after Sunday’s game to join the Test team in their preparation for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.
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Sai Sudharsan had a chance to acclimate to the South African conditions by playing the first of three unofficial warm-up matches for India A against South Africa A from December 11 in Potchefstroom. In his only innings, he made 14 runs.
Before the South Africa tour, Sai Sudharsan, in an interview with IndiaToday.in, emphasized the importance of adaptability but also expressed his preference for the opening batsman’s role. It appears that Sai has received his wish, as he is slated to open the innings on Pink Day.
“I really look forward to fulfilling the needs of the time. I have been opening and playing one down a lot. I want to go there with an open mind. It all depends on the team’s requirements. I am looking to go with the flow, and adapt myself to different conditions and situations,” Sai had said.
“I believe that I will become a better batter if I can react to the situation in front of me well.”
India vs South Africa 1st ODI Squads:
South Africa Squad:
Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi
India Squad:
KL Rahul(w/c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar
