Day 1 of the India vs England 1st Test in Leeds started well for India thanks to a good opening partnership.
But just before Lunch, England fought back with two quick wickets — one of them being debutant B Sai Sudharsan who got out for a 4-ball duck.
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KL Rahul looked calm and composed, scoring 42 off 78 balls with 8 fours. His 91-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a good start.
But the momentum shifted when Rahul got out and soon after Sudharsan followed — edging a ball down the leg side with a leg slip in place.
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It was a tough moment for the young batter and while it’s too early to be harsh, the nature of the dismissal did raise some eyebrows.
Sudharsan is a talented player with good white-ball form but his selection over a more experienced red-ball option like Abhimanyu Easwaran is now being questioned in some quarters — not because of the duck alone but because of the high-pressure conditions of a Test debut in England.
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But remember: four balls do not define a career. Debuts can be nervy and many greats have started their Test journey with a low score.
Criticism at this stage may be premature but the debate around team choices is natural — especially when the opportunity cost is a player waiting in the wings with good domestic numbers.
India’s Day 1 was a mix of stability and setbacks. KL Rahul’s innings reminded us of his value in the Test team.
Sudharsan on the other hand will hope to get more chances to prove himself. One innings shouldn’t define a player but it can open the door for healthy debate around selection and preparation.
