‘He Told Me You’ll Play’: Sai Sudharsan Credits Gautam Gambhir’s ‘Impeccable’ Support for Boosting His Confidence

Young India batter B Sai Sudharsan has hailed head coach Gautam Gambhir for instilling confidence in him during a testing start to his Test career, describing the former India opener’s support as “impeccable”.

Sudharsan, who managed only one half-century in six innings during India’s tour of England earlier this year and scored just seven in his solitary outing against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, said a conversation with Gambhir ahead of the second Test in Delhi helped change his mindset completely.

Speaking in Bengaluru, where he has been appointed vice-captain of India A for the upcoming four-day series against South Africa A, Sudharsan recalled the turning point in his early Test journey.

“After the first game in Ahmedabad, we were practicing at the Feroz Shah Kotla nets. As always, I was the last to come out of the nets,” Sudharsan said. “GG sir called me and said, ‘You are not getting desperate. You are one of the best players in the country. Don’t think about other things or what happens if you don’t score. You will play.’

“The way he said that gave me so much confidence and freedom. When you hear it from the head coach himself, the environment and perspective change drastically.”

Buoyed by Gambhir’s assurance, Sudharsan produced a composed 87 and 39 in the Delhi Test, guiding India to a 2-0 series victory over the West Indies. He said that innings allowed him to play with greater freedom and a team-first mindset.

“I wasn’t just thinking about getting runs; I wanted to fight and win for the team,” he said. “That approach helped me express myself better.”

While the 23-year-old acknowledges the prestige and responsibility that come with batting at No. 3 for India, he insists his focus remains on playing for the team rather than securing a permanent spot.

“Playing for India, there’s so much competition. I’m not thinking about cementing a place. When I think about playing for safety, I go defensive, and that’s not what I want,” Sudharsan said. “I take it game by game, session by session, and aim to make a difference. Runs are just a by-product of that process.”

Sudharsan also emphasised the importance of versatility, drawing inspiration from senior India batter KL Rahul, who has successfully adapted to multiple roles across formats.

“No. 3 is almost like an opening spot — there isn’t much difference,” he explained. “Wherever we play, we have to be ready and deliver. KL bhai has been a great example — he’s played in almost every position and excelled. That’s something I want to learn from.”

Sudharsan, who has batted at No. 3 for Tamil Nadu and in the IPL, said he enjoys the challenge of adapting to different situations and roles.

“I’ve batted at No. 3 since my under-14 and under-16 days, so it’s a position I’m comfortable with,” he added. “But at this level, it’s about being ready for whatever the team needs.”

With Gambhir’s backing and renewed self-belief, Sudharsan now looks to carry his confident form into India A’s upcoming series against South Africa A — a key opportunity for emerging players to push for national selection.