Sai Sudarshan’s long-cherished dream of donning the whites for India came true at Headingley, Leeds, on the opening day of the England tour. Making his Test debut, the young left-hander walked in at number three after the fall of opener KL Rahul.
However, his much-anticipated first innings at the international level did not go as planned. Sudarshan’s stay at the crease was disappointingly short-lived — just three deliveries — as he was dismissed without scoring.
England captain Ben Stokes cleverly set the trap for the debutant. With a full leg-side field, including a leg slip and leg gully, Stokes targeted Sudarshan’s pads. On the third ball he faced, Sudarshan tried to glance one fine down the leg side but could only manage a faint edge.
Jamie Smith, alert behind the stumps, completed the catch. The dismissal marked a forgettable start for the young batter, who has been in fine form on the domestic circuit. Nonetheless, he will look to make amends in the second innings.
Before Sudarshan’s entry, India had begun the day confidently. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul showed composure and class while facing a lively English pitch offering swing and seam. Their disciplined approach — leaving the good balls and punishing the bad ones — allowed them to weather the early storm.
Jaiswal played with his natural flair, while Rahul was elegance personified, especially through the covers.The opening stand crossed the fifty-run mark quickly, putting pressure back on the English bowlers. For a while, India looked in complete control as the pair steadily built momentum.
England, however, did not let the advantage slip away for too long. Brydon Carse, sensing an opportunity, bowled a fuller delivery that invited Rahul into a loose drive. The ball took a thick edge and was neatly taken at first slip, breaking the opening partnership.
This dismissal brought Sudarshan to the crease, but his debut moment turned into a brief and bitter one. Despite his early failure, India’s start showed signs of promise, and the match remains open.
Sai Sudarshan out for 4 balls duck:
— Aryan MsDian💛🐦 (@aryan_raj206s) June 20, 2025
1st ball – Huge appeal,
2nd ball – Dot,
3rd ball – Huge appeal,
4th ball – Out
3 out of 4 balls were nightmare and that is what happens when you ignores merit of Ruturaj. Still all love to Sudarshan, he will come back. #INDvsENG #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/QxrRCIG1i5
Sudarshan, meanwhile, will be eager to prove his potential and return stronger in the second innings, hoping to contribute meaningfully to India’s overseas campaign.