Team India’s ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma is known for scoring runs quickly. In the early overs, he often disturbs the bowler’s line and length and helps the team build a strong start.

But Rohit is now 38 years old, and his poor form in Test matches continues. During the Australia tour, he struggled with the bat and could not score runs. In this situation, Sai Sudarshan could be a better option. He is technically strong and can handle the long format of the game. Team India will play a 5-match Test series against England in June, and Sai Sudarshan might get a chance in this series.

Sai Sudarshan Shines in County Cricket

Sai Sudarshan impressed in county cricket last year while playing for Surrey in his debut season. He scored a brilliant century, batting aggressively. Facing 178 balls, Sudarshan made 105 runs, hitting 10 fours and 1 six. His century came with a six, and he spent 237 minutes at the crease, proving his ability to perform in the long format of the game.

Aakash Chopra Backs Sai Sudarshan as Rohit’s Successor

Former Test cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Sai Sudarshan could be the perfect replacement for Rohit Sharma at the top of the order for India. Chopra mentioned, “One name comes to my mind, and we should all be ready for it — Sai Sudarshan is the future of Indian batting.” He praised Sudarshan’s game and temperament, stating that his future in cricket looks bright. Chopra also noted Sudarshan’s impressive performances in IPL 2025 and on India’s tour of South Africa. At just 23 years old, Chopra believes Sudarshan could be a long-term Test player for India and has the potential to emulate Rohit Sharma’s style of play.

Sai Sudarshan Dominates IPL 2025

Sai Sudarshan, the 23-year-old batsman from Tamil Nadu, has been in exceptional form this season for the Gujarat Titans. On April 9, in a match against Rajasthan Royals, he scored a brilliant half-century and set a record. Sudarshan became the first Indian and the second player after AB de Villiers to score five consecutive half-centuries at a venue in IPL history.

He has scored 74, 63, 49, 5, and 82 runs in five matches this season. Out of these, three half-centuries were scored in Ahmedabad, making him the first Indian to achieve this feat at a ground. Sudarshan has now accumulated 250 runs in 5 innings, placing him second in the Purple Cap race with 273 runs, just behind Nicholas Pooran (288 runs).

Rohit Sharma Struggles on the Australia Tour

Rohit Sharma’s bat remained silent during the Australia tour. His performance in the last eight Test matches has been disappointing, especially against the fast bowlers of Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. Although he was in good form during the home series against England, his recent performances have seen him lose his wicket easily, raising concerns about his form.

Sai Sudarshan’s Impressive IPL Career

Sai Sudarshan has scored 1,307 runs in 30 IPL matches, with an impressive average of 48.41. He has scored a century and 9 half-centuries. In IPL 2025, Sudarshan continues to impress, and he may even surpass his total of 572 runs from 12 matches last season.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has struggled this season, managing only 0, 8, 13, and 17 runs in four innings. Mumbai Indians have lost 4 of their 5 matches, and Rohit’s poor form has sparked discussions about his potential retirement.