After the end of IPL, Team India now has a litmus test in England. Sai Sudarshan may get a chance to debut in the Test series between India and England. Sai had performed brilliantly in IPL and he was also the highest run-scorer in the 18th season. He scored 759 runs in 15 matches. Sai Sudarshan has been selected in the team for the upcoming series against England. However, there has been no confirmation from the coach or captain regarding his batting order, but former Australian captain Michael Clarke has given a big statement regarding his batting order.

As Virat Kohli retires from the red-ball Format, India now faces the tough challenge of filling the important No. 4 spot in the batting order. Shubman Gill, who was playing at No. 3 in recent years, is now the top choice to take over Kohli’s role at No. 4. If Gill moves down the order, India will need a solid player to handle the No. 3 position.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has suggested that India should give Sai Sudharsan a chance at No. 3. Clarke said he has full confidence in the young left-hander and believes he will get his opportunity during the England tour.

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Team India's Test captain Shubman Gill may bat at number four in the upcoming series — a position earlier held by Virat Kohli. After Kohli’s departure, this spot is now vacant. Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, former Australian captain Michael Clarke said, "For me, this kid is a superstar — Sai Sudharsan. I think he is perfect for the number three spot in Test cricket. In my opinion, he will open the innings for India in T20 and ODI in the future. He is part of the Test squad and has got his first chance in England."

Sai Sudharsan performed brilliantly in IPL 2025. He scored 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21, including one century and six half-centuries for Gujarat Titans. Gujarat finished fourth in the playoffs.

Clarke added, "I think he can directly bat at number three in the team. Technically, he is very strong. He has all the shots and is mentally ready. He really impressed me, and he’s a stylish player too."

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 title-winning captain Michael Clarke has shared his feelings about Rohit Sharma's decision to retire from Test cricket, as the former Aussie star believes that the captain Rohit will be hard to replace. Clarke also revealed the reason for his thought.

Rohit Sharma already retired from T20I 

After leading the Indian team to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 title, which was India's first ICC trophy victory in 11 years, Indian captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20I cricket as the leading run-scorer in the format. Recently, he had a tough period as a Test captain by facing a home whitewash against New Zealand in the three-match Test series and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia by 3-1 in the five-match Test series.

While the Indian captain struggled to score runs in those Test matches, he dropped himself from the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which was India's must-win fixture in an attempt to only save the series. Those struggles affected the Indian cricket team, as the first two editions' runners-up failed to reach the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 Final.

Although in early March, Rohit Sharma-led India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title, which was played in the ODI format, his Test cricket future was still hanging without any improvement in look. 

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Rohit Sharma just announced Test retirement

After the IPL 2025, which is going to be rescheduled, India will travel to England for a five-match Test series to start their journey in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027. Before the team selection for the Test series, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket. Under his captaincy, India won 12 out of 24 Tests and lost nine games.

Rohit Sharma reads the game exceptionally well: Michael Clarke

However, Michael Clarke has praised skipper Rohit Sharma for his tactical powers and added that he would be missed. The former Aussie captain claimed that Rohit read the game exceptionally well. 

Clarke told RevSportz, "Tactically as a captain Rohit Sharma will be very hard to replace. He reads the game exceptionally well. He is a player that any team would miss."

Rohit Sharma recently shared his thoughts on why One Day Internationals (ODIs) continue to hold a special place in the world of cricket, even as questions loom over the format’s future. After leading India to a Champions Trophy victory in the UAE, the veteran batter emphasized the value of the 50-over game in a cricket landscape dominated by the traditional Test format and the fast-paced excitement of T20s.

The veteran India batter admitted that with the growing popularity of T20s, many fans are struggling to stay connected with ODIs. However, Rohit highlighted that his generation grew up watching 50-over cricket and still holds strong emotional ties to the format. He also pointed out that the recent Champions Trophy featured several thrilling, high-intensity matches that reminded fans of the drama and depth that ODIs can deliver.

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"I know there has been lot of talk about one-day cricket being questioned. Whether its a sustainable format or not. Look, we have all grown up watching 50-over world cup. ICC Champions Trophy, when we played those games. Those were high-intensity games. I know it is very longer, because people are watching T20 cricket. But, 50-over cricket has its own challenge," Rohit told Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

Watch the video;

🚨Rohit in Michael Clarke Podcast: Rohit Sharma mindset in winning Trophies is truly a Alpha Mind🥶🐐
pic.twitter.com/uTXfkfwCWM

— Imsajal45 (@Sajalsinha0264) April 16, 2025

Rohit Sharma is legend of ODI format

Rohit Sharma stands as a true giant in ODI cricket. While his performances across formats are impressive, his impact in the 50-over format is nothing short of extraordinary. In 273 ODI matches, the 37-year-old has scored 11,168 runs at an exceptional average of 48.77 and a strike rate of 92.81. His consistency is highlighted by 58 half-centuries and 32 centuries.

Rohit also holds several unique records in ODI history. He is the only player to have smashed three double centuries in the format and holds the record for the highest individual score in ODIs — a breathtaking 264 off 173 balls against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens.