With a momentous five-match Test tour to England coming closely on the heels of the IPL 2025 season, former India head coach Ravi Shastri opened up on a couple of left-field choices that he feels must make the cut for the Test squad that is vying for a first series triumph in England in 18 years.
Shastri batted for the inclusion of Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan who has struck a purple patch in the ongoing IPL season. The left-hander has emerged in the running for the Orange Cap race, amassing over 450 runs in nine outings. Building a formidable partnership up top with Shubman Gill, Sudharsan has struck five fifties to help the Titans maintain their spot in the top four with only two weeks of action left in the league stage.
Touting Sudharsan as an all-format India prospect, Shastri leaned in on the southpaw’s County experiences as well to make a case for the 23-year-old’s inclusion.
“I see this young man, Sai Sudharsan, for all formats of the game,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“He seems like a class player and my eyes would be on him certainly.”
While his overall First Class average only reads 39.53 in 29 matches for 1957 runs, Sudharsan has made fruitful appearance for Surrey in the Country over the last two years, tallying 281 runs in five games with a century and a half-century.
“Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique, the way he plays, I think he’ll be top of the list for me from the outsiders wanting to get into this side,” added Shastri.
Shastri also said India must have a look at their left-arm seam options for the Test set-up, urging the management to have their eyes on Arshdeep Singh and Khaleel Ahmed.
“It could be anyone. It could even be a white-ball specialist. I don’t like this thing when they say someone like Arshdeep Singh is a ‘white-ball specialist’.
“You need a left-armer, go and find him, whoever it is and whoever is the best of the lot – pick them. There’s Khaleel Ahmed, who again, his rhythm is good, he’s bowling well. So it’s important to get that mix,” Shastri remarked.
The five-match series, marking the start of a new WTC cycle, will begin in Birmingham on June 20.