India's Sai Sudharsan Credits Coach Gambhir for Test Career Turnaround

Indian Test batter Sai Sudharsan has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for providing unwavering support during a challenging start to his Test career, which included a tough debut series in England and initial struggles against the West Indies. Gambhir reassured Sudharsan by emphasizing his value to the team and telling him "You will play," which helped the batter gain confidence and play with more freedom and focus on contributing to the team's success rather than merely scoring runs. This encouragement was pivotal for Sudharsan's turnaround, as he responded with an impressive 87 and 39 in the second Test against the West Indies, aiding India's 2-0 series victory. Despite a modest overall average, Sudharsan feels empowered to approach each game and innings with a clear mindset, avoiding the pressure of living up to past greats. His recent performances and Gambhir's backing indicate that Sudharsan is becoming a key figure in India's Test lineup, even earning the vice-captaincy for India A's upcoming match against South Africa A. Across multiple sources, Sudharsan's relationship with Gambhir emerges as a crucial factor in his development and confidence at the international level.