"Don't Get Desperate": Gautam Gambhir's Blunt Yet Empowering Message to Rising India Star Sai Sudharsan In the high-pressure world of international cricket, where every innings can feel like a test of survival, young batter Sai Sudharsan found himself struggling with self-doubt after a modest start to his Test career. With just 140 runs at an average of 23.33 in his debut series in England and a seven-run dismissal in the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad, the weight of expectations was mounting. That's when India's head coach Gautam Gambhir stepped in with a message that would prove to be a turning point in the 24-year-old left-hander's career.

The Kotla Conversation That Changed Everything

It was at the Feroz Shah Kotla nets in Delhi, ahead of the second Test against West Indies, that Gambhir pulled Sudharsan aside for a heart-to-heart conversation. As is his habit, Sudharsan was the last player to leave the nets—a sign of his dedication and perhaps the internal pressure he was putting on himself.

"GG sir called me and said: 'Don't get desperate. You're here because of so many reasons. You're one of the best players in the country. So, don't think about any other things or whether you have to score runs in this game or what will happen,'" Sudharsan recalled during a press conference in Bengaluru ahead of the India A vs South Africa A unofficial Test.

But it was the next part of the conversation that truly resonated: "He told me, 'You will play.' The way he said that gave me so much confidence and freedom."

Those three simple words—"You will play"—were exactly what Sudharsan needed to hear. It wasn't conditional. It wasn't based on whether he scored runs in the next match. It was a clear, unequivocal declaration of faith from the head coach.

From Pressure to Freedom

Sudharsan admitted that before the conversation, he was caught in a negative spiral—thinking too much about cementing his spot, worrying about external expectations, and playing defensively to protect his place rather than expressing himself freely.

"I was trying to be freer and not think about external factors or the magnitude of things. But when you hear it from the head coach himself, the perspective and environment change drastically," Sudharsan explained.

The Tamil Nadu batter revealed that he had been falling into the trap of playing for personal security rather than team success—a mindset that often leads to tentative cricket. Gambhir's intervention helped him shift focus from survival to contribution.

"I feel when I think about sealing or cementing the spot, or getting runs and becoming safe in that position, I go a bit defensive and play for myself—which I definitely do not want to do at any time," he said.

Refining the Role of a Number Three

Now earmarked as India's long-term number three in Test cricket, Sudharsan is working on understanding the tactical nuances of the position. While he has played five Tests so far, scoring 273 runs at an average of 30.33 with two fifties, the numbers don't fully capture the learning curve he's navigating.

"I am refining quite a lot of my footwork from a technical point of view. But more importantly, I am understanding what a number three player has to do for the team. I'm understanding the role better and trying to implement that," Sudharsan said.

He emphasized that at the international level, technical gaps are quickly exposed, and the real battle is tactical—reading bowlers, making strategic adjustments, and gaining the upper hand through smart cricket.

"In international cricket, you don't have so many loopholes to play with. Almost everybody you face is one of the best in their country. So, I think it's all about the tactical changes you make and the tactical objectives you use against a particular bowler according to their strengths and weaknesses," he explained.

Learning Versatility from KL Rahul

Sudharsan is also taking notes from KL Rahul, who has batted across the order for India with remarkable success. He acknowledged that in Indian cricket, batters must be ready to play any position depending on team requirements.

"While playing for India, we have to be really ready for whichever spot we're asked to play. We have a great example in KL, who has played in almost all the positions. But he's so versatile that I think we can learn from him that we have to be ready for all those challenges," he said.

However, Sudharsan is most comfortable at number three—a position he's played extensively in the IPL and during his younger days in age-group cricket.

The Bigger Picture: Gambhir's Man-Management Gambhir's approach with Sudharsan reflects his broader coaching philosophy—backing players unconditionally, giving them clarity, and creating an environment where they can play with freedom rather than fear. It's a stark contrast to the high-pressure, results-driven culture that often dominates international sport.

By telling Sudharsan "You will play" without any riders or conditions, Gambhir removed the mental clutter and allowed the young batter to focus on what he does best: fight, contribute, and win games for India.

"I wasn't in a mindset just to get runs. I was in a mindset to fight, win, and dominate for the team. That helped me express myself better," Sudharsan revealed.

Eyes on South Africa Series

With India A set to face South Africa A in an unofficial four-day Test series starting Thursday in Bengaluru, Sudharsan sees it as an ideal platform to build momentum ahead of the two-match Test series against the Proteas later this month.

"India A matches are very important, and we're lucky to have them just before the main series. So, we take this as a big opportunity to build up really well, understand the conditions, and obviously plan accordingly for the series," he said.

For now, Sai Sudharsan is focused on one thing: playing freely, fighting hard, and contributing to wins—exactly the mindset Gautam Gambhir instilled in him during that pivotal conversation at the Kotla.