Sports

Sai Sudharsan Makes Test Debut As England Bowl First In Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Opener

India handed B Sai Sudharsan his Test debut as England won the toss and chose to bowl in the opening match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley on Friday.

The five-Test series also kicks off a new ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams.

Sudharsan, a left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, has featured for Surrey in the County Championship. He was, however, given his India cap by Cheteshwar Pujara, who is on commentary duty for the series.

The 22-year-old will bat at number three for India. The occasion also holds significance as it falls on the same date Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly (1996), and Virat Kohli (2011) made their Test debuts.

Karun Nair returns to India’s Test side after more than seven years and will bat at number six. Shubman Gill, in his first match as Test captain, said he would have opted to bowl as well.

Changes in India’s line-up

Shardul Thakur has been included as the seam-bowling all-rounder, slotted to bat at number eight. He was picked ahead of youngster Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Ravindra Jadeja, however, is the only specialist spin option in the side, leaving no place for Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain and will keep wickets.

Gill leads India, Stokes aims to capitalise early

Gill said the team is well-prepared and excited for the series.

“It’s a dry summer. There might be some movement early, but it should become a good batting surface,” he further said. “The boys are in a good space mentally and physically.”

England captain Ben Stokes admitted their preparation has been uneven. However, he remains confident.

“Headingley has produced great games. We’ve had a solid three-day build-up, and everyone is raring to go,” Stokes further said.

Playing XIs:

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain, wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

Also Read: Stokes Says India Will Miss Kohli’s Fighting Spirit Ahead Of England Test Series

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

India’s Gold Reserves Rise By $342 Million, Forex Stands At $699.736 Billion: RBI

India’s gold reserves rose by $342 million during the week, reaching $84.846 billion, the Reserve…

20 mins ago

Army Launches ‘Operation Shiva’ For Safe And Secure Amarnath Yatra In Kashmir

Every year, the Army, along with CAPFs and local security agencies, undertakes enhanced security measures…

54 mins ago

BJP Looting Land, Forest, Water: Rahul Gandhi At ‘save Constitution’ Rally In Odisha

Rahul Gandhi said the Constitution protects Dalits, tribals, and the poor, and the BJP is…

2 hours ago

Centre Proposes Rs 1,345 crore Scheme To Incentivise Rare Earth Magnet Production In India

The Central government is planning to launch a Rs 1,345 crore scheme as a subsidy…

3 hours ago

Spiritual Fervour Meets Environmental Action In Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk traders join Baba Tiwari’s spiritual drive to revive the Yamuna, blending tradition with…

4 hours ago

Sanskar Bharati Celebrates Guru Purnima In Delhi; Honours Guru-Shishya Tradition With Music & Dance

Sanskar Bharati celebrated Guru Purnima 2025 in Delhi with classical music, dance, and tributes to…

4 hours ago