Sai Sudharsan congratulated Virat Kohli for winning the IPL 2025 trophy, the maiden title of his Indian Premier League career. The Gujarat Titans opener claimed that he had lots of conversations with the Indian batting legend in the past. 

Sudharsan started his new chapter in his cricketing career. He has experienced a dream run with Gujarat Titans in the recently concluded IPL season. The 23-year-old batter, who won the Orange Cap in this year's IPL, bagged 759 runs in 15 games and received a call from BCCI to join the Test setup for the England tour, where India will face the host nation for the five-match Test series. The southpaw has a brief experience with the national team, but only in the limited overs format. 

Sudharsan has only played three ODIs and one T20I so far for India and has an impressive track record in the domestic cricket circuit. The left-handed batter has claimed a total of 1957 runs in 29 games with seven centuries and five half-centuries for Tamil Nadu, with a batting average of around 40. 

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The young batter congratulated Virat Kohli for his recent success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after an 18-year-long waiting period. Sudharsan praised the mentality Kohli possessed. 

I congratulated him after the final: Sai Sudharsan 

"I congratulated him after the final, as it was a really special moment for him. But we’ve had many conversations over the years. What I’ve always admired about him is his mentality and the dedication he has for the game. We’ve talked about how he handled the situation when he wasn’t scoring runs," the orange cap holder of IPL 2025 said this about the iconic batter. 

Along with Sai Sudharsan, Team India is set to start a new chapter in Test cricket with newly appointed captain Shubman Gill. After the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, BCCI officials elected Gill, the Gujarat Titans skipper, to lead Team India for the England test series. 

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."