Sai Sudharsan faces double blow ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Just a few months ago, Sai Sudharsan was the talk of the town. Sai Sudharsan lit up IPL 2025 with his amazing batting for the Gujarat Titans and won the Emerging Player of the Tournament award. His heroics even earned him a maiden call-up to India’s Test squad for the recent England tour.

But the stylish left-hander’s meteoric rise has suddenly hit a roadblock. On the England tour, Sudharsan played three Tests at No. 3, but he failed to make the most of his opportunities. The youngster managed only 127 runs in three tests at an average of 23.33, with the best score of 62.

After his not-so-impressive performance on his maiden Test tour of England, the 23-year-old has been left out of the South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, which will kick off the new domestic season in India later this month.

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Sai Sudharsan left out of the Buchi Babu Tournament after the Duleep Trophy 2025

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) delivered another blow, as Sai Sudharsan’s name is missing from both squads they announced for the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, starting August 18.

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The Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament is a curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic season, featuring state teams and top talent from the country. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) named two sides, TNCA XI and TNCA President’s XI, on August 8, and Sudharsan didn’t find a place on either side.

However, the TNCA has not made any comment on the surprising snub of the young batter for the upcoming Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament. Sudharsan was India’s next big batting hope a few weeks ago, but his dramatic fall from grace has left one and all stunned and speculating on his future.

Here are the teams announced by TNCA for the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament:

TNCA President’s XI: R. Sai Kishore (C), C. Andre Siddarth (VC), B. Indrajith, Vijay Shankar, M. Shahrukh Khan, R. Vimal Khumar, S. Radhakrishnan, S. Lokeshwar, G. Ajitesh, C.V. Achyuth, H. Trilok Nag, P. Saravana Kumar, K. Abhinav, J. Hemchudeshan, M. Siddharth, and R.S. Ambrish.

TNCA XI: Pradosh Ranjan Paul (C), Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (VC), B. Sachin, Tushar Raheja, Kiran Karthikeyan, S. Mohamed Ali, D.T. Chandrasekar, P. Vidyuth, R. Sonu Yadav, S. Rithik Easwaran, S.R. Athish, S. Lakshay Jain, D. Deepesh, J. Prem Kumar, A. Esakkimuthu, and T.D. Lokesh Raj.

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Selectors’ Duleep Trophy 2025 call sparks Asia Cup 2025 talk

Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan isn’t the only surprise omission from the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025. Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna have also been left out. Sai Sudharsan, Sundar, and Krishna were part of India’s recent Test series that ended in a 2-2 draw in England.

When the Duleep Trophy squads were announced, some fans and experts guessed that their absence might mean the trio is being kept fresh for the Asia Cup 2025 in September.

But it seems that it is only an assumption, as the players like Arshdeep Singh, Shubman Gill, and Harshit Rana have been picked in the North Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025, and even they could be picked for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.