NEW DELHI: Sai Sudharsan is now 4 Test matches and 7 innings old. He has just started towards what seems to be a potential great career in making. The West Indies series seemed to be a perfect opportunity for him to cement his place at number 3 position in Test matches.

The position of number three is considered as one of the most challenging ones in Test cricket. Indian cricket was blessed to have that position occupied by greats like Rahul Dravid and then Cheteshwar Pujara for more than 2 decades. However, ever since Pujara was dropped that spot has been up for grabs, without any player marking their authority over it.

In England the team management showed faith in the abilities of Sai, and handed over his debut in the first Test match. Once he was brought back in the Manchester Test after being dropped, the world saw glimpses of what Sudharsan can bring to the table when he scored a brilliant fifty there.

Post that his form dwindled. There were few shortcomings against the moving ball, but since it was his first series there, this was acceptable. Coming back from England, Sai was given an opportunity to prove himself in the India A games against Australia A.

Sai performed brilliantly there scoring 73,75 and 100 in the three innings that he played there. The hundred in the last inning, also helped India A win the game chasing a record total.
Coming into the current series, this was a definite confidence booster for him.

Cut to the first match, Sudharsan looked completely out of touch. Once he was into the pitch, he looked like there was a lack of confidence in his batting. He was troubled by spinners as well as Jayden Seals in his short stay. The pitch didn't have many demons, but when he was batting, the pitch seemed to be difficult.

However, Indian captain Shubman Gill was very vocal in his support for Sudharsan, who according to him is "still trying to figure out" his own game. His position was similar to the one taken by assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate on Wednesday.

"You have to give young players more opportunities. They are still trying to figure out their game. And we believe that you have to see someone's potential first and then see their game in its entirety, not just judge someone from one, two, three, four matches," he said.

To sum it up, it was more of a mental block than technique. Technically, there are hardly any problems with Sai, who is a proper textbook cricketer. His stance, head position, hands everything seems to be in synergy when he bats well.

It seems like the pressure of representing India, and playing at the highest level is getting on his head. With all the potential and talent that he possesses, which the whole world saw during the IPL, it's only time that Sai starts performing. But with the competition in Indian cricket, which is at its peak right now and so many candidates are already knocking at the door, Sai should start performing and justify the insane amount of skill that he has. He should make number 3 his own, for years to come.