Sai Sudharsan's 81 vs Afghanistan: Saba Karim flags spin technique, lauds composure
Synopsis
Sai Sudharsan's 81 against Afghanistan earned praise for composure — but former selector Saba Karim's spin-technique warning is the real headline. With India's struggles against quality spin well-documented, Karim's observation that Sudharsan was 'hiding his bat behind the pad' puts a spotlight on a flaw that coach Gautam Gambhir will be watching long after this one-off Test ends.
Key Takeaways
Sai Sudharsan scored 81 batting at No.
3 for India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Delhi .
Former selector Saba Karim flagged a technical flaw — Sudharsan appeared to use his pad as the first line of defence against spin, producing a thick outside edge.
Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped the resulting slip catch, giving Sudharsan a crucial reprieve.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir will closely monitor Sudharsan's technique against high-quality spin, according to Karim.
Karim praised Sudharsan's overall composure, shot selection, and adaptability to pitch conditions despite the lapse.
Sai Sudharsan scored a confident 81 batting at No. 3 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Delhi, drawing measured praise from former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim, who highlighted both the young left-hander's composure and a specific technical concern against spin bowling. The innings helped India build a strong platform despite Sudharsan surviving an early dropped chance.
The Technical Concern Karim Flagged
Karim, speaking on Jio Hotstar, pointed to a moment where Sudharsan appeared to use his pad as the primary line of defence against spin rather than his bat. 'On this occasion, Sai Sudharsan appeared to be hiding his bat behind the pad, which suggested that his first line of defence was the pad rather than the bat. That resulted in a thick outside edge, which Rahmanullah Gurbaz should have taken at first slip,' Karim observed.
The edge went to Afghanistan wicketkeeper Gurbaz at first slip, who failed to hold the chance — a reprieve that allowed Sudharsan to continue and go on to post his 81. Karim noted the incident was not lost on the coaching staff.
Why Gambhir Will Be Watching Closely
Karim stressed that India's recent struggles against high-quality spin make Sudharsan's technique a priority area for head coach Gautam Gambhir. 'Gautam Gambhir would be keeping a very close eye on this because I think the biggest challenge for the Indian batters over the past season has been how they cope against high-quality spin bowling,' Karim said.
This comes amid a broader pattern of scrutiny on India's batting unit against spin in overseas and home conditions alike, making the one-off Afghanistan Test a useful diagnostic opportunity for the management ahead of a packed international calendar.
What Impressed Karim Despite the Flaw
Despite the technical lapse, Karim was complimentary about Sudharsan's overall innings. 'Apart from that technical flaw, he looked very composed overall and played a few delightful shots on the on side, including a straight drive. His shot selection and the way he adjusted to the pace and bounce of the surface were quite good,' he said.
The former national selector added that Sudharsan now carries the weight of the team management's backing and must convert such starts into bigger scores. 'He has been backed by the team management, and it is now up to him to get a big score under his belt,' Karim noted.
Sudharsan's Case for the No. 3 Slot
The assured 81 reinforces why India's team management has persisted with Sudharsan at the critical No. 3 position. His ability to adjust to surface conditions and maintain composure under pressure underlines his promise, even as the spin technique question remains a work in progress. How he addresses that specific flaw will likely determine whether he cements his place in the Test lineup for tougher assignments ahead.
Point of View
Leaving them vulnerable to the outside edge. Sudharsan's 81 is a positive data point, but a dropped catch papered over what could have been an early dismissal. The Afghanistan attack is not the sternest spin examination India will face — the real test comes in conditions where bowlers extract more turn and fielders hold their chances. If Gambhir's coaching staff cannot correct this tendency before a tougher tour, the No. 3 question will resurface at the worst possible moment.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sai Sudharsan perform in the one-off Test against Afghanistan?
Sai Sudharsan scored 81 batting at No. 3, helping India build a strong platform. He survived an early reprieve when Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped a slip catch off a thick outside edge.
What technical flaw did Saba Karim identify in Sudharsan's batting?
Karim observed that Sudharsan appeared to hide his bat behind his pad against spin, making the pad his first line of defence rather than the bat. This produced a thick outside edge that should have been caught at first slip.
Why is Gautam Gambhir watching Sudharsan's spin technique closely?
According to Karim, India's biggest batting challenge over the past season has been coping with high-quality spin bowling. Sudharsan's technical lapse in this match makes it an area the head coach will monitor as India face tougher spin conditions ahead.
What did Saba Karim say positively about Sudharsan's innings?
Karim praised Sudharsan's overall composure, his on-side shot-making including a straight drive, and his ability to adjust to the pace and bounce of the surface. He described the innings as 'very composed' despite the one technical concern.
What does Sudharsan need to do to secure his Test spot at No. 3?
Karim said Sudharsan has the backing of the team management and must now convert his promising starts into big scores. Addressing the spin-technique flaw will be key to cementing his place for more demanding Test assignments.
