India’s young opener Sai Sudharsan missed out on a maiden Test century by just 13 runs on Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The left-hander scored a composed 87 off 165 deliveries, but a lapse in judgment cost him his wicket as he was trapped leg-before-wicket by Jomel Warrican.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra analyzed Sudharsan’s dismissal during a discussion on Star Sports, suggesting that the youngster’s limited red-ball experience led to his downfall. Chopra pointed out that Sudharsan might have comfortably dealt with that kind of delivery in white-ball cricket, but the challenge of Test cricket demands a different mindset.

“He doesn’t have sizeable performances in first-class cricket. So he is still a work in progress. When you score 700 runs quickly in the IPL and then play Test cricket, you realize it’s a very different job. His selection in Tests is inspired,  not just because of weight of runs but because of potential,” Chopra explained.

The cricketer-turned-analyst elaborated further, saying: “It was a first-day pitch, but the ball hit the pads because it was an error of judgment or planning. You negotiate that ball very easily in white-ball cricket, but red-ball cricket tests your patience and decision-making.”

Chopra added that Sudharsan, who shared a 193-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, has the temperament for long innings but still needs to adapt to the technical challenges of the longer format, especially when facing quality spin on Indian pitches.

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Parthiv Patel: “He will have to come on the front foot”

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who was part of the same discussion panel, echoed Chopra’s views and emphasized the importance of footwork for left-handers facing spin in Indian conditions.

“I am 100 percent convinced that he will have to come on the front foot. You won’t be able to play too much on the back foot. This is the first day’s wicket, by the second or third day, the rough will open up more. Since Sai is tall, he has to take his pad forward to negotiate the spin,” Patel said.

Patel, who also serves as the batting coach for Gujarat Titans, praised Sudharsan’s back-foot shots but cautioned that such an approach could be risky in Tests. “He has hit some beautiful fours off the back foot with a straight bat, but it still looked risky. If you have to be successful against a left-arm spinner, you have to come forward. Even if the ball hits the pad on the front foot, it’s often outside off-stump, but from the back foot, you’re always in danger,” he added.

Despite missing his century, Sai Sudharsan’s 87-run knock, which included 12 boundaries, laid a strong foundation for India as they reached 318/2 at stumps on Day 1. The youngster’s composure at the crease continues to impress, even as experts believe he’s still learning the nuances of red-ball cricket.