Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has come out strongly in defense of young cricketer Sai Sudharsan after a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) criticized the batter's pre-match rituals ahead of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval in London.
Sudharsan, who was seen shadow batting during warm-ups on the eve of the Test, drew attention from one user who accused him of seeking publicity. The post read, "Seeking media attention too much is not good for his future, TBH Karun Nair is way better than this kid.. Agree?" The remark quickly gained traction online and sparked debate among fans and cricket watchers.
Ganesh took to X to hit back at the criticism. In a strongly worded post, he wrote: “Why is everyone behind this young kid for his pre-match rituals? In the age of SM (social media), it’s very difficult to even be yourself.”
Ganesh’s response highlighted the pressure modern-day athletes face not just on the field but also under the constant lens of social media, where even harmless pre-match preparations can be misinterpreted. His support for Sudharsan was widely appreciated by fans who echoed the sentiment that young players should be given space to grow without undue scrutiny.
Sai Sudharsan, known for his calm demeanor and dedication to preparation, is still finding his feet in the international arena. The criticism seemed to stem from a short clip of him practicing his strokes intently during the warm-up session. However, many in the cricketing fraternity saw nothing unusual in his approach, with several defending it as a sign of focus and discipline.
IND Vs ENG, 5th Test: Ollie Pope's Successful DRS Call Draws Applause From Ben Stokes As Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs Early; Video
England drew first blood in the final Test of the series at The Oval, as fast bowler Gus Atkinson dismissed India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 2 runs with a fiery delivery that crashed into the middle stump, thanks to a well-judged DRS call from captain Ollie Pope.
Bowling from around the wicket, Atkinson delivered one that jagged back sharply off a good length, angling in from outside off. Jaiswal, defending tentatively, brought his bat down at an awkward angle and was struck on the back pad. England appealed instantly for LBW, but the on-field umpire was unmoved.
There was an audible woody sound, prompting initial doubts, but Atkinson remained convinced, joined by enthusiastic voices from behind the stumps. Pope, equally confident, went upstairs for a review. On replay, it was clear: the bat and ball hadn’t connected. Instead, the ball brushed the front pad before thudding into the back pad.
Third umpire, after a brief check, confirmed no UltraEdge was needed. Ball tracking followed and it was damning for Jaiswal. Three reds lit up the screen as the ball was shown to be hitting middle stump. The on-field decision was overturned, and Jaiswal was sent back for 2 off 9 balls, leaving India at 10/1 in the early stages of the Test.
Captain Ollie Pope celebrated the successful review with a fist pump directed at the England dressing room, where injured talisman Ben Stokes, sidelined due to a shoulder issue, applauded the call. It was a moment of sharp captaincy and precise bowling, giving England the ideal start in a high-stakes encounter.
