Emerging Team India batsman Sai Sudharsan has revealed that fellow Tamil Nadu cricketer Washington Sundar is a major source of inspiration for him. The 23-year-old, who has already represented India in three ODIs and one T20I, spoke about Sundar's influence on his career ahead of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, scheduled to begin on June 20, 2025.

Sudharsan, a rising star in Indian cricket, has quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances. He recently won the IPL Orange Cap, scoring 759 runs for Gujarat Titans, including a century and six fifties. Despite his own achievements, Sudharsan remains grounded and acknowledges the impact Sundar has had on his journey.

Washington Sundar, a 25-year-old all-rounder, made his international debut for India in 2017 as a teenager and his Test debut in 2021 during the memorable Brisbane Test against Australia. Sudharsan has expressed that Sundar's rapid ascent in the cricketing world has served as a significant motivator for him.

"He has been my inspiration since I was young," Sudharsan stated. "I have played a few games against him, so it is always special. To be honest, we have looked up to him a lot." He further added, "I have practised once or twice (against Sundar), the way he went up and the way he played for the country, it was really quick, so I had that in my mind. He did well in the IPL, and then he played for the country."

Sudharsan emphasized that knowing Sundar personally and playing alongside him has been particularly inspiring. "So it was a great motivator for me from Chennai. Knowing him since I was young, playing with him, it is kind of inspiring. It made me feel I want to do things the same way," he said in a video posted on the BCCI's official website.

Sundar, in turn, has expressed immense pride in Sudharsan's progress. He believes that the young batsman's achievements are already inspiring many aspiring cricketers in Chennai.

Sudharsan's journey is a testament to the importance of mentorship and inspiration in sports. While established stars like R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav have undoubtedly inspired countless cricketers across the nation, the influence of Sundar on Sudharsan highlights the impact that contemporaries and those closer in age can have on each other's careers. This camaraderie and mutual inspiration can be a powerful force in shaping the future of Indian cricket.