Sai Sudharsan is rapidly becoming a leading candidate to take over from Rohit Sharma as India's Test opener. The promising left-handed batsman made his international debut in 2023 and has already showcased his skills in various white-ball formats.

With his Test debut on the horizon, Sudharsan was recently selected to play for India A by the BCCI, where he impressively scored a century against Australia A. Despite this notable performance, the selectors opted to give Devdutt Padikkal a chance instead of Sudharsan.

The dynamics have shifted now that Rohit Sharma has retired, opening up a spot at the top of the order. According to reports, Sudharsan has made a significant "impression" on the BCCI and is viewed as a potential backup for both Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

With Rohit's departure, Sudharsan has emerged as a strong contender. However, the presence of seasoned players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul could limit his opportunities. If he doesn't secure the opener position, he may still be considered for the number three slot.

Despite missing a significant portion of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Sudharsan maintained an impressive average of 76 across the limited matches he participated in, including a remarkable double century against Delhi. His experience playing County cricket in England for Kent over the past two years sets him apart from other contenders like Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, or Nitish Kumar Reddy. If India seeks a reliable understudy, Sudharsan could be an excellent choice.