Sai Sudharsan Prepares for New Zealand’s Red-Ball Test

India batter Sai Sudharsan is working to find the right rhythm and tempo in red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The left-handed batter made a last-minute trip to Jaipur to represent Tamil Nadu in their opening Ranji Trophy 2026-27 fixture against Rajasthan, prioritising valuable match practice in the longer format.

Although his first innings ended early and a knee injury briefly interrupted his participation, Sudharsan made a more composed contribution in the second innings. His unbeaten 26 helped Tamil Nadu secure a draw, while the time spent at the crease gave him an opportunity to adjust to the demands of red-ball batting.

The 24-year-old is part of the India A squad scheduled to tour New Zealand. With conditions in the country expected to offer seam movement, bounce and lateral deviation, the Ranji Trophy match provided a chance to work on his batting approach before the international assignment.

Why Sai Sudharsan Left India A’s One-Day Series for Ranji Trophy

Sudharsan’s participation in the Ranji Trophy opener came at short notice. The morning after the second 50-over match between India A and Australia A in Puducherry, he received a message from the national selectors asking him to join Tamil Nadu for their game against Rajasthan.

The team manager conveyed the request, and interim chief selector Pragyan Ojha subsequently spoke to the batter. Ojha explained that playing a red-ball match would help Sudharsan prepare for the upcoming New Zealand Tour.

Sudharsan accepted the opportunity and skipped the third one-day match between India A and Australia A. He travelled to Jaipur, arriving at approximately 10:40 pm, before joining Tamil Nadu in time for the following morning’s play.

The late arrival meant that Sudharsan had little time to settle before taking the field. Nevertheless, the opportunity to experience a four-day match was considered useful preparation as he looked to adjust from the pace of limited-overs cricket to the different demands of the longer format.

Sai Sudharsan’s Performance in the Tamil Nadu vs Rajasthan Match

Sudharsan’s first innings did not go according to plan. The opener managed only three runs from 10 deliveries before losing his wicket, giving him limited time to find his rhythm at the crease.

His involvement in the match was then briefly interrupted by a knee injury early on Day 2. Fortunately, the injury was not serious, and Sudharsan recovered within a couple of hours, allowing him to continue participating in the contest.

He showed greater patience in Tamil Nadu’s second innings. Remaining unbeaten on 26 from 67 balls, Sudharsan focused on occupying the crease and responding to the challenge posed by Rajasthan’s spinners.

Manav Suthar and Ajay Singh Kukna, both in-form bowlers, tested the Tamil Nadu batter on a slow and turning surface at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Sudharsan managed the conditions without losing his wicket, helping the visitors secure a draw.

Although the second-innings score was modest, the innings offered an opportunity to practise the concentration and decision-making required in red-ball cricket. Rather than approaching the contest purely as preparation for New Zealand, Sudharsan viewed it as a chance to improve his game in the conditions presented to him.

Sai Sudharsan Explains the Importance of Red-Ball Rhythm

For Sudharsan, the difference between white-ball and red-ball cricket extends beyond the ball itself. The batter believes that understanding the pace of a longer-format innings and giving himself the right instructions at different stages are important parts of building a successful approach.

Speaking after the conclusion of the Ranji Trophy match, Sudharsan explained that he was concentrating on developing the rhythm and timing associated with red-ball batting.

“I feel it’s about the cues that you give to yourself as a red-ball batter, as opposed to a white-ball batter, and to get that rhythm and sync,” Sai Sudharsan said.

His explanation highlighted how a batter’s approach can change throughout a day of Test or first-class cricket. In the longer format, players must assess the match situation, manage their concentration and decide when to defend, rotate the strike or look for scoring opportunities.

Sudharsan also discussed how the time remaining before lunch or tea can influence a batter’s approach. Instead of maintaining the same level of aggression throughout an innings, a player may need to adjust according to the circumstances and the period of play.

“Red ball has a certain gameplay, speed of play or pace of play,” he explained, describing the importance of understanding how to manage different periods of an innings.

For a top-order batter, these adjustments can be particularly important. The ability to remain focused for extended periods, resist unnecessary shots and respond to changing bowling conditions often determines whether a promising start becomes a substantial innings.

Why the Jaipur Conditions Were Still Valuable for Sudharsan

The playing conditions in Jaipur were expected to differ significantly from those Sudharsan could encounter in New Zealand. The slow, turning surface at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium demanded patience and careful judgement, particularly when Rajasthan’s spinners were operating.

New Zealand, by contrast, can offer conditions that challenge batters through seam movement, bounce and lateral deviation. The difference makes direct comparisons between the two environments difficult, but Sudharsan believes that adapting to the conditions in front of him remains the priority.

He clarified that he was not thinking about New Zealand throughout his second innings against Rajasthan. Instead, he focused on performing well for Tamil Nadu and using the experience to improve his ability to bat against spin.

“If you see the second innings, it’s completely in contrast to what you will probably get in New Zealand, but it’s about being the best here,” Sudharsan said.

He added that the experience could prove useful for his future performances against spin, even if the immediate conditions were different from those expected on the New Zealand tour.

This approach reflects an important part of preparation for international cricket: players must learn from the opportunities available to them without becoming overly focused on replicating conditions they have not yet experienced. Batting patiently on a turning surface can strengthen a player’s decision-making, just as facing a moving ball can test technique and judgement in different ways.

How Sai Sudharsan Is Preparing for New Zealand’s Seam Movement

Alongside his match practice, Sudharsan is studying footage of previous matches to understand the challenges that New Zealand conditions may present. He is particularly interested in the combination of bounce, pace and lateral movement that can make batting difficult for visiting players.

Sudharsan expects the conditions to offer some similarities to England, while potentially providing a different degree of lateral movement. Watching previous matches allows him to study how the ball behaves after pitching and how experienced batters respond to the movement.

“It will be bouncy and somewhat similar to England, but there’ll be a bit more of lateral movement,” he said while discussing his preparations.

Studying footage can help batters identify useful patterns, including how players position themselves at the crease, judge deliveries outside off stump and respond when the ball moves away or comes back in. However, actual conditions can vary from ground to ground, making it important to adapt once a player arrives at the venue.

For Sudharsan, video analysis is one part of a wider preparation process that also includes match practice and learning from experienced players. The aim is to develop an understanding of the conditions without assuming that every pitch will behave in exactly the same way.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid Are Sudharsan’s Sources of Inspiration

While reviewing footage of earlier matches in New Zealand, Sudharsan has turned to two Indian batting greats: Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Both players built reputations for adapting their techniques to different conditions, and their performances offer useful examples for a young batter preparing for overseas cricket.

Sudharsan revealed that he had watched Tendulkar’s batting in New Zealand, followed by footage of Dravid. He is particularly interested in understanding how the former India stars assessed the pitch, interpreted the conditions and made decisions during their innings.

“Sachin paaji has scored a lot there, so I was watching his batting. After that, I watched Dravid sir’s batting,” Sudharsan said.

He also highlighted the value of learning from the way experienced batters understand the game and the surface. Rather than simply copying their shots, Sudharsan is looking to identify lessons that he can apply to his own technique and decision-making.

Watching footage of successful overseas performances can provide a useful starting point, especially for players preparing to face unfamiliar conditions. It can help them understand how experienced batters manage difficult spells, leave deliveries outside their hitting areas and build innings when scoring opportunities are limited.

However, Sudharsan will still need to translate those lessons into his own game. The pace of the pitch, the movement available to bowlers and the match situation will ultimately determine the approach required during the New Zealand tour.

Why Lateral Movement Is a Major Challenge for Top-Order Batters

Facing a moving ball is one of the most demanding aspects of batting in Test Cricket. Top-order players often have to negotiate a new ball, fresh bowlers and conditions that can change throughout a session. Even a technically sound batter can be beaten by deliveries that move after pitching.

Sudharsan acknowledged that being beaten is an unavoidable part of facing substantial lateral movement. For him, the key is not to judge an innings only by whether a delivery produces a run or beats the bat. Instead, he believes batters should evaluate their positioning, their ability to watch the ball and the quality of their response.

“Are your positions right? Are you watching the ball well and reacting to it well?” Sudharsan said while explaining how he assesses his approach against a moving ball.

This perspective is particularly relevant in overseas Test cricket, where patience can be just as important as attacking ability. A batter who repeatedly attempts to force the pace may expose weaknesses against movement, while one who trusts their technique and makes disciplined decisions can give themselves a better chance of surviving difficult periods.

Sudharsan’s comments suggest that he is focusing on the process rather than becoming preoccupied with individual outcomes. Getting beaten does not necessarily mean a batter has made a poor decision. The important question is whether the player was in the correct position and reacted appropriately to the delivery.

Such a mindset can help players maintain confidence during challenging spells. It also encourages them to make adjustments based on their technique and judgement instead of changing their entire approach after a few difficult deliveries.

Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal: No Battle for Places

Sudharsan’s place in the India A squad gives him an opportunity to prepare for the New Zealand assignment, but his selection in the playing XI for the subsequent Tests is not guaranteed. Devdutt Padikkal has also made a strong case for a place at number three, creating competition among the available batting options.

However, Sudharsan does not view the situation as a personal contest with Padikkal. He stressed that the players are working towards a common objective and that their batting positions should depend on what the team requires.

“We are doing it for the team. If Dev is going to bat somewhere else I will bat, or if I am going somewhere else Dev is going to bat. It’s not about comparison. We all have our own stories,” Sudharsan said.

The response underlines his emphasis on team requirements rather than individual comparisons. Both players will be looking to make the most of their opportunities, but the final combination will depend on the team’s plans, conditions and selection decisions.

Competition for places is a regular feature of international cricket, particularly when several young batters are pushing for opportunities. For players such as Sudharsan and Padikkal, consistent performances and adaptability can strengthen their cases while allowing the team management to consider different combinations.

What the Ranji Trophy Match Could Mean for Sudharsan’s New Zealand Tour

Sudharsan’s brief appearance for Tamil Nadu offered a practical opportunity to return to the demands of first-class cricket after competing in a 50-over series. His first-innings dismissal showed that he did not immediately find his rhythm, while the unbeaten second-innings contribution demonstrated greater patience against a challenging spin attack.

The match also allowed him to experience the mental demands of batting for extended periods. Managing the tempo of an innings, responding to changes in bowling and maintaining concentration are skills that can be developed through regular red-ball cricket.

At the same time, the conditions in Jaipur were not a direct rehearsal for those expected in New Zealand. Sudharsan recognises that distinction and is supplementing his domestic match experience with video analysis of previous international performances.

His preparation combines several elements: time in the middle, technical reflection, studying successful Indian batters and an emphasis on making sound decisions against a moving ball. These steps can help him build familiarity with the challenges ahead, although his eventual role in the Test side remains uncertain.

Conclusion

Sai Sudharsan’s last-minute appearance for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy opener against Rajasthan was an opportunity to reconnect with red-ball cricket before the New Zealand tour. After scoring three runs in the first innings, recovering from a minor knee injury and finishing unbeaten on 26 in the second, he gained valuable time at the crease on a difficult surface.

The left-handed batter is now studying previous performances by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to understand how Indian batters have approached New Zealand conditions. His focus remains on improving his rhythm, adjusting to the pace of the longer format and responding correctly when the ball moves in the air or off the pitch.

With Devdutt Padikkal also competing for a place in the batting order, Sudharsan’s selection in the Test XI is yet to be determined. For now, he is concentrating on improving his own game and contributing wherever the team needs him.

The Ranji Trophy match may not have replicated New Zealand’s conditions, but it gave Sudharsan a chance to work on the patience, awareness and decision-making that will be important as he prepares for the next stage of his red-ball career.