Tamil Nadu youngster Sai Sundarsan earned his maiden call-up in the Indian team on Thursday, 30 November. Sudarsan was named in India’s ODI squad for South Africa, along with the India A side.

SA vs IND: T20I Squad Details

The youngster, who played a sensational 96-run innings for Gujarat Titans in the final of the Indian Premier League 2023, reacted to the news and said that he was at a loss for words.

“It is a great feeling, and I am a bit lost for words. It is a dream come true for me, but at the same time, this is just the beginning, and there are many areas where I need to improve,” Sai Sudarsan told Sportstar in an interview on Thursday.

Acquired by the Gujarat Titans at his base price of INR 20 lakh, Sai Sudarshan proved to be a valuable asset and a wise investment for the franchise. His performances have not only earned him accolades but also a contract with Surrey for the final three matches of the 2023 County Championship, indicating his rising stock in the world of cricket.

“I learnt a lot playing in all these tournaments, and the exposure it has given me has helped me improve as a batter,” Sudarsan said about his 2-match County stint.

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“But my first goal is to just focus on my match tomorrow (Friday) against Punjab and help the team qualify for the knockouts,” he further added.

In the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sai Sudarshan emerged as a cricketing sensation, showcasing his exceptional talent and solidifying his position as a promising batsman for the Gujarat Titans.

Sudarshan’s journey through the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. He amassed a total of 362 runs across 8 matches, boasting an impressive average of 51.71 and a strike rate of 141.4. His consistent performance included three half-centuries, demonstrating his ability to play both anchor and aggressor when needed. His highest score of the season, a near-century knock of 96 runs off just 47 balls, came in the high-pressure environment of the IPL final against the Chennai Super Kings.

Despite his team’s loss, Sudarshan’s innings stood out as one of the best in IPL final history and helped the Gujarat Titans post a formidable total of 214/4.

India ODI Squad for SA Tour

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.