Sai Sudarshan has once again disappointed India as the hosts are in big trouble on the third day of the ongoing second and final Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Sai Sudarshan had a huge responsibility on his shoulders, he was included in the India XI in place of injured captain Shubman Gill, yet he failed to repay the faith shown by head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors. On a pitch where the Proteas had scored 489 runs in their first innings, it became difficult for the Indian batsmen to score and they lost two wickets for 92 runs.
Sai Sudarshan fails once again, India stuck in trouble on third day in Guwahati
After the wickets of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai was expected to play a steady innings, but he once again failed to perform well with the bat. After being ruled out of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, the left-handed batsman failed to take advantage of his opportunities in Guwahati.
Also read: Marco Jensen stops Yashasvi Jaiswal in his tracks with full-length diving catch
Simon Harmer bowled a short ball to Sai and he tried to pull it hard towards mid-wicket. Rhina Rickelton, who was positioned in the right position, moved to his left and tried to catch him. Although the ball slipped out of Rickelton’s hands at first, he caught it again in the second attempt and kept it close to his chest to ensure Sudarshan’s dismissal.
Sai returned to the pavilion after scoring 15 runs in 40 balls and put India in deep trouble. After another flop show, Indian cricket fans are criticizing Gautam Gambhir for supporting the Chennai player over proven and in-form batsmen like Ruturaj Gaikwad. After continuous poor performance, many people have demanded to drop Sai from India’s Test team.
Here’s how fans reacted to Sai Sudarshan’s yet another flop show:
This K*llu Sai Sudarshan is a fraud. He is getting so many chances because he is Gill’s friend, while other players are dropped after just one or two matches. Sai was not even selected on the basis of his domestic performance, he was selected for the Tests on the basis of his IPL performance. pic.twitter.com/ufEmTsl4KB
– ShuhidAufridi (@ShuhidAufridi) 24 November 2025
Sai Sudarshan
*39 average in domestic
* 28 average in test
* Came into Test team on the basis of IPL runs
* TN Ranji coach said his technique is not good for Test cricket
* Indian assistant coach admits his technique against spin is not goodPlaying on GT Captain quota? #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/ul8U9pcWzJ
– ππ₯π¨π§π¨ (@Brutu24) 24 November 2025
If India want to compete seriously in Tests going forward, some tough decisions need to be made β KL Rahul has to go, Sai Sudarshan is not a long-term No. 3, you can’t overload the XI with all-rounders, the spin department needs new faces, and the old ball needs a fast bowler instead of Siraj.
– Skipper (@skipperjatt) 24 November 2025
Sai Sudarshan has a big disappointment in the test
– Betsy (@imbatzzz) 24 November 2025
I am not convinced about Sai Sudarshan’s quality yet, but for any cricketer, this constant ups and downs and pressure adds up. And these days β at least from the outside β there seems to be very little stability..#INDvSA
-Hemant (@hemantbuch) 24 November 2025
Another failure for Sai Sudarshan but still Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir will not pick Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Because Ruturaj Gaikwad plays for CSK. pic.twitter.com/zxrGlzldfx
β Abhishek Kumar (@abhishek060722) 24 November 2025
Sai Sudarshan has been playing consistently at number 3 but is not able to score runs consistently.. not in England, not against West Indies and not even against South Africa. So why not give a chance to someone like Sarfaraz Khan, who is being ignored time and again? #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/ytvXKa2AOc
– Devesh Pandey (@devveshpandey) 24 November 2025
Despite all the prejudice in the world, Sai Sudarshan will never be theirs
pic.twitter.com/298UdmeDKz– Sir Jacob Bethell (@bet_hell) 24 November 2025
On what occasions will Sarfaraz Khan, who has a better batting average and solid game against spin, be considered again in place of Sai Sudarshan? #indvsSA
– Rajesh Naik (@RajeshNaikS) 24 November 2025
If I ever see Sai Sudarshan in the test bracket I lose myself
Dhruv Jurel is another boy, you are just meant to be a backup friend
PR run by fans is very criminal
Jaiswal was out and these two made a mockery of the test
Remember how much better Yash Rathore is than Sanat Sanghwan Sai– CROX_CULER (@KranSa01391828) 24 November 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad deserves the number 3 spot in the test team more than this rookie Sai Sudarshan. pic.twitter.com/aUjsycndHH
– (@imAnthoni_) 24 November 2025
Domestic artists like Sai Sudarshan and Dhruv Jurel are being ignored for these IPL businessmen
covers everything#INDvSA
– A male name ! (@cricketrahul7) 24 November 2025
Sai Sudarshan in test cricket
0, 30, 61, 0, 38, 11, 7, 87, 39, 15
He has batted at number 3 in all 10 innings and averages 28. Honestly, time is running out for them. If he cannot score runs on such pitches, it will be difficult for him to retain his place.
β Vijay Anaparthy (@VijayCricketFan) 24 November 2025
Sai Sudarshan’s poor performance continues, India reduced to 105/5
Sai Sudarshan is facing criticism for his inconsistent performance at number three in Tests. His average in seven innings is only 21. SAI had a forgettable tour of England and could only score one half-century against the West Indies at home.
Also read: Mohsin Naqvi handed over Asia Cup trophy to Pakistan, India refused
In preparation for the ongoing Test series, SAI could only score 32, 12, 17 and 23 in two unofficial Tests against South Africa A in Bengaluru; As a result, he was dropped for the Kolkata Test. But Gill’s injury opened the door for them and they missed another chance.
Currently, India are in deep trouble as they have lost five wickets for 105 runs against South Africa in the ongoing final Test in Guwahati, with the last three wickets falling for just 10 runs.
