Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has predicted that Sai Sudarshan will miss his maiden Test century in the second Test between India and West Indies. The prediction, unfortunately, proved true for Sudarshan as he was dismissed before reaching the three-figure milestone.
Sai Sudarshan missed out on scoring the number one century for the Indian team. The third Indian batsman has finally given a statement for his selection in the next home Test series against South Africa, which is scheduled to be played in November this year.
Sai Sudarshan survives early scare against Jomel Warrican
Everything looked fair and steady for India as Sudarshan and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched a brilliant century partnership, with the latter scoring his seventh Test century in the opening. Indian no. 3 also completed his second Test half-century and showed a glimpse of his great form.
However, Sudarshan suffered a minor injury while batting on just 58 runs off 106 balls when he accidentally missed a shot and the ball went straight into the air. As soon as Jomel Warrican landed on the ground, the ball left his palm.
Sudarshan might have heaved a sigh of relief at that time, but not Karthik, who slammed the left-handed batsman for being ‘lazy’. His last two important innings for India were a half-century in Manchester and then a crucial 38-run innings at the Oval.
Dinesh Karthik called Sudarshan ‘very lazy’
Sai Sudarshan had to face a sharp attack from former Indian wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik. He remained unaffected by the slightest interruption in concentration.
Karthik said, “Sai Sudarshan is very lazy. He should have either stayed deep in the crease, pulled the ball or perhaps played a stronger shot. It was a lazy flick shot, which he was trying to hide and take a single.”
“I know he will say to himself that I have played the flick shot too often, but then again, the situation he has found himself in playing that shot tells you that he definitely needs to concentrate more.”
“There’s only one reason why he won’t be able to score 100 today, and that’s himself. I don’t think any player can get down on him today. He just needs to control his mind, stay focused, and be ready to take runs,” Karthik didn’t mince his words.
Karthik is right in his prediction – Sudarshan was out in the 80s
As it turns out, Dinesh Karthik was right when he made his prediction. Sai Sudarshan has done wonders as he worked his way into the 80s before being out LBW by spinner Jomel Warrican.
Just when the West Indies, especially Warrican, were about to regret their ousted coach, the left-arm spinner got a sharp turn and rapped on the pads of Gujarat Titans’ top-order left-hander.
The umpire immediately raised his finger, and even though a confident Sudarshan opted for DRS to overturn the decision, he ultimately cost India the chance of a review.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal rewrites history books with Delhi Test century, now behind only Don Bradman
