B Sai Sudharsan: Surgery, Setbacks, and a Return

Young Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans (GT) batter B Sai Sudharsan recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia in London. In a social media update, the 23-year-old assured fans of his swift recovery, expressing optimism about returning stronger soon.

Sudharsan, who has already represented India in ODIs and T20Is, was seen as a rising contender for the Test squad. However, his injury forced him to take a break after playing a single Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 match, where he scored nine runs against Tripura. Following this appearance, he joined the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, this means he will miss the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled between December 21 and January 18.

Before his injury, Sudharsan displayed impressive form during the initial phase of the Ranji Trophy season, scoring 82 against Saurashtra and a remarkable 213 against Delhi. Additionally, while representing India A in Australia, he made an impact with a century (103) in the first four-day game, though his performance dipped in the second match.

In November, Sudharsan was retained by Gujarat Titans for INR 8.50 crore (approximately $1.1 million) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, joining an elite group alongside Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan. The team is hopeful for his timely recovery ahead of the IPL season in March, banking on his consistency from last year, when he topped GT’s scoring charts. Sudharsan amassed 527 runs in 12 innings with an impressive average of 47.90 and a striking strike rate of 141.28.

Despite the setback, Sudharsan’s resilience and stellar track record suggest that his return to the field will be nothing short of remarkable. Fans eagerly await the batter's comeback, ready to witness him shine once again.