Mullanpur, June 6 -- B Sai Sudharsan strengthened his claim to India's No. 3 spot with a composed and authoritative 81 as the hosts reached 209 for two at tea on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.
Under scrutiny amid intense competition for places in India's batting order, the left-hander delivered a timely statement innings, blending patience with controlled aggression to put Afghanistan's bowlers under sustained pressure.
Resuming the afternoon on 32 not out, Sudharsan gradually shifted gears after lunch and brought up his half-century off 67 balls. He was particularly severe on anything overpitched, driving elegantly through the covers...