Indian National Cricket Team’s 24-year-old left-handed batsman Sai Sudarshan has given a big statement on the fitness of star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
SAI Sudarshan has said that Rishabh Pant has become a little more fit and is looking forward to making a comeback to international cricket in the Test series against the South Africa national cricket team.
Rishabh looks fantastic – in fact, maybe even fit – Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant suffered a fracture in his leg during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England national cricket team and has been out of action since then.
He also missed the recent home Test series against the West Indies national cricket team, where Dhruv Jurel was handed the wicketkeeper’s position, and he shone both with the bat and behind the stumps.
However, Jurel may be asked to sit on the bench again as Rishabh Pant is all set to return for the Test series against South Africa. Before the main series, he will take part in a two-match 4-day series against South Africa A.
Sai Sudarshan, who will serve as Rishabh Pant’s deputy in the series against South Africa A, said Pant is fully fit and ready to bat.
“Rishabh looks really fantastic, probably fitter than before. He’s had some time to strengthen his legs, give that training, because sometimes when you’re injured, you have that specific time to work on whatever you want. I think he looks a little bit more fit and stronger, and looks as courageous as ever,” Sudarshan was quoted as saying by PTI.
He said, “Pant’s message is very clear. We were in trouble on the first day of training and he was saying that this is a great opportunity for everyone to get back into the rhythm of the game. At the same time, we are also playing to win and that is the main thing.”
Sai Sudarshan is being seen as the permanent No. 3 in India’s Test playing XI for the next decade and the team management as well as the selection committee have shown a lot of confidence in him.
Currently, his average in five Test matches is 30.33 and India is hopeful that he will improve his figures. Sudarshan is also working hard and has improved his footwork.
“I have been honing my footwork a lot from a technical point of view. But more importantly, I am understanding what the number three player has to do for the team. I am understanding the role better and trying to implement it,” said Sai Sudarshan.
“There are not too many technical differences, because I think it is more about being better tactically. In international cricket, tactical indicators and tactical advantages are very important to be a notch above the bowler, I am working on that.” Sudarshan said it was important to gain a tactical edge over the opposition as flaws would be severely exposed at the highest level of cricket.
In international cricket, you don’t have so many flaws to play with – Sai Sudarshan
Sai Sudarshan further said that he is learning more about tactical things to get better in the international cricket arena.
“In international cricket, you don’t have so many holes to play with, you don’t have so many voids to fill because almost everyone (you face) is one of the best in their country.
“So, I think it is all about the tactical changes you make and the tactical objectives that you use against a particular bowler as per his strengths and weaknesses. I think that is what I am learning now, I am probably refining it more and finding the best pattern to become the No. 3 for India.”
Also read: “Tell your husband…” – KL Rahul’s explosive complaint to Kevin Pietersen’s wife revealed