Sai Sudharsan disappoints on Test debut, falls into Ben Stokes’ leg-side trap twice

Sai Sudharsan’s promising Test debut has ended in disappointment. One could excuse his duck at Headingley, given the situation. The 23-year-old had come out to bat in the last over before lunch and was clearly feeling the nerves. That’s why despite edging a ball one-foot down leg to the wicketkeeper, didn’t warrant much criticism.

Nerves get the better of greatest player, so for a debutant to feel nervous wasn’t a big deal. But Sudharsan has no excuse for his dismissal in the second innings of the India vs England 1st Test. Much the first innings, Ben Stokes got him with a leg side a leg side trap.

Sudharsan falls into Stokes’ trap

In the first innings, a leg slip was placed for him. Fielders at fine leg and mid-wicket were in position as well. However, the second time around, the trap wasn’t so obvious. Stokes was trying to bowl from over the wicket, instead of round the wicket.

His plan seemed to get into trapped in front. He was bowling at his pads and tried a booming inswinger for time to time. At first, it wasn’t working. Stokes wasn’t finding the line. He wasn’t pleased with himself. In the meantime, Sudharsan was finding his groove.

In the 21st over, bowled on his pads and got flicked for a boundary. The next bowl he delivered a booming inswinger at middle. Sudharsan got sucked into playing a flick again, but this time he found the hands of Zak Crawley at mid-wicket. An easy catch. He stood there in disappointment. After looking at ease, he threw his wicket away.

This will warrant some criticism from experts and fans. And although, some were harsh for his first innings dismissal, this time their criticism might just be fare. In the first innings, every Indian batter made use of the start. Sudharsan has failed to do that.