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In just a few weeks, Team India will set sail for the storied shores of England, where a grueling five-match Test series awaits. Still reeling from the scars of a forgettable campaign in Australia, the Indian team now prepares to script a red-ball redemption on the English soil. Before the curtain rises on this much-anticipated clash, the stage will be shared by India A and the England Lions in a series of preparatory battles. Both the senior and A-team squads are also awaiting official announcements.

Several new names are expected to be in contention for the England tour. However, players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Devdutt Padikkal may struggle to make the cut this time around. One name gaining significant attention is Sai Sudharsan, the in-form left-hander who currently holds the Orange Cap in IPL 2025. Sudharsan's consistency with the bat has sparked growing calls for his inclusion in the Test squad. Already capped in ODIs, he brings valuable experience of English conditions, having represented Surrey in the County Championship. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has publicly backed him, citing his solid technique as well-suited for England's seaming tracks.

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"Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique, the way he (Sudharsan) plays, I think he will be top of the list for me from the outsiders wanting to get into this side," Shastri told The ICC Review as quoted by ICC.

To date, Sudharsan has played three ODIs, scoring 127 runs with two half-centuries. In red-ball cricket, he has played 29 first-class matches, amassing 1,957 runs at an average of 39.93. His record includes seven centuries and a double-ton — the latter coming in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy against Delhi. During his stint with Surrey in 2023 and 2024, he scored 281 runs in five games, registering both a hundred and a fifty.

Sudharsan was part of the India A squad during their matches against Australia A last year, but it was Padikkal who earned a place in the senior side. Now, with Sudharsan in red-hot form, there's a strong case for his inclusion in the final squad for the England tour. He’s a prime contender to serve as a backup opener — and what strengthens his claim is his experience with the Dukes ball and his assured technique against seam and swing.

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The elegant left-hander boasts the ability to pierce gaps on either side of the wicket and plays the straight bat shots with finesse. His form in the ongoing IPL is nothing short of sensational, consistently scoring against high-calibre pace attacks. A case in point: against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sudharsan took on Mohammed Shami, smashing five boundaries in a single over. Shami tried every trick in the book, but nothing fazed Sudharsan.

It has been a tough season for Shami, who has only six wickets in nine innings. In six of those games, he didn’t even complete his four-over quota. Since returning from injury, he’s clearly not at his best. The zip that once defined his spells is missing — and while his pace remains intact, the rhythm hasn’t returned. Even in the recent Champions Trophy, his performances were inconsistent.

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Despite his struggles, Shami’s wealth of experience might still secure him a seat on the plane to England. Having played 14 Tests there, he is India's most seasoned pacer in those conditions. However, the numbers don’t flatter him — 42 wickets at an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 69.26. Still, selectors may lean on his past exposure and match-winning pedigree as the team prepares for a stern red-ball challenge.

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