Mentally prepared to play any role: Sudharsan

HE last time India touched the England shores in 2021-22, the team was loaded with experienced players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. India drew the series 2-2 with the last Test of the five-match series played almost nine months after the fourth due to Covid-19 outbreak. These four players along with pacer Mohammed Shami, who was not picked this time around due to injury, had played 442 Test matches among themselves till date.

- FIROZ MIRZA @Chennai

TAMIL Nadu's B Sai Sudharsan has been unstoppable in the IPL season so far. With an impressive 638 runs in 13 outings, he is the current Orange Cap holder. Now Sudharsan, who's regarded as one of the promising youngsters across formats, could soon get a chance to test his mettle in the longest format of the game as he has been named in the 18-man Indian team that will play five Tests against England. Sudharsan has represented the country in white-ball format but this is the first time the 23-year-old has been selected in the Test squad. The left-handed batter from Chennai is stoked to get this opportunity and said that he'll put his best foot forward if he gets the chance to be in action. In an exclusive chat with this daily, Sudharsan said that he's prepared to adapt and play whatever role he's offered during the tour. Excerpts...