Sai Sudharsan, one of the most promising young talents in Indian cricket, made headlines ahead of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford by declining captain Shubman Gill's request to bat during the pre-match practice session. While some reports suggested a disagreement, the real story points to Sudharsan’s unique pre-match routine.

According to sources, Shubman Gill asked Sudharsan to take a few throwdowns during Tuesday’s optional practice session. However, the left-handed batter politely refused, sticking to his personal formula of not batting a day before a match. This approach had previously worked wonders for him during IPL 2025, where he amassed a record-breaking 759 runs, earning the Orange Cap.

Sudharsan believes that conserving energy before a match helps him stay mentally and physically fresh. He follows this routine religiously—doing intensive practice sessions two days before a game and opting for only light visualization and stretching on the eve of the match.

The decision not to bat has sparked speculation about whether Sudharsan will feature in the playing XI for the crucial fourth Test. His absence from the nets, paired with his presence on the ground for pitch inspection and team huddles, hints at a possible inclusion. With India trailing 1-2 in the series, team selection for Manchester will be closely watched.

The 22-year-old made his Test debut in the third match at Leeds, where he scored a duck in the first innings but showed promise with a 30-run knock in the second. While his first-class average of 38.96 isn't extraordinary, selectors are backing his potential, especially given his strong performances in white-ball cricket—where he averages above 60 in List A and over 43 in T20s.

Sources close to the team have clarified that there is no friction between Sudharsan and Gill. In fact, the captain is aware of Sudharsan’s routine from their time together in the IPL and respects his methods. The media narrative of a refusal, therefore, seems to have been blown out of proportion.