'Rishabh Pant looks a bit more...': Sai Sudharsan's bombshell remark on wicketkeeper’s fitness

The 24-year-old India National Cricket Team left-handed batsman Sai Sudharsan has made a massive statement on the fitness of the star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

Sai Sudharsan has stated that Rishabh Pant has gotten a bit more fit and is raring to make a comeback to international cricket in the Test series against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

Rishabh looks fantastic-actually, maybe fitter - Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant suffered a foot fracture during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England National Cricket Team, and since then, he has been out of action.

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He also missed the recent home Test series against the West Indies National Cricket Team, where Dhruv Jurel was handed the wicket-keeper's spot, and he shone both with the bat and behind the stumps.

However, Jurel might be asked to warm the bench again as Rishabh Pant is all set to return for the Test series against South Africa. Before the main series, he will take part in the two-match 4-day series against South Africa A.

Sai Sudharsan, who will serve as Rishabh Pant's deputy in the series against South Africa A, stated that Pant is fully fit and is ready to fire.

"Rishabh looks fantastic-actually, maybe fitter, I would say. He had some time to build, put that training into his legs, because sometimes when you get injured, you have that specific time to work on whatever you want. I feel he looks a bit more fit and strong, and as courageous as he always is," said Sudharsan, as quoted by PTI.

"The message from Pant is very clear. We were in a huddle on the first day of training, and he was saying that this is a great opportunity for everybody to get back into the rhythm of the game. At the same time, we are also playing to win, and that is the main thing," he noted.

I am refining quite a lot of my footwork from a technical point of view - Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan is being looked at as the permanent No.3 for India in the Test playing XI for the next decade, and the selection committee, along with team management, has shown a lot of faith in him.

He currently averages 30.33 in five Test matches, and India would be hoping he improves his numbers. Sudharsan is also working very hard and has refined his footwork.

“I am refining quite a lot of my footwork from a technical point of view. But more importantly, I am understanding what a number three player has to do for the team. I am understanding the role better and trying to implement that,” Sai Sudharsan said.

“There are not many technical differences, as I feel it's more about getting better tactically. In international cricket, tactical pointers and tactical advantage are very important to just be one notch up to the bowler, I am working on that." Sudharsan said attaining tactical edge over the opposition is vital because loopholes will get severely exposed at the highest-level of cricket.

In international cricket, you do not have so many loopholes to play with - Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan further stated that he is learning more about the tactical things to get better in the international cricket arena.

“In international cricket, you do not have so many loopholes to play with, you do not have so many gaps to fill because almost everybody (you face) is one of the best in their country.

“So, I think it is all about the tactical changes that you do and tactical objectives that you use against a particular bowler according to the strengths and weaknesses they have. I feel that is what I am learning now, I am probably refining it more and finding the best pattern to be the No. 3 for India,” he added.

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