With a Test debut around the corner, Sai Sudharsan revealed that his Tamil Nadu teammate has been his inspiration since his younger days, taking up the sport. Sudharsan remarked as the duo shared a dressing room in Test cricket for the first time.

Sudharsan revealed that Washington Sundar's rise has been an inspiration for him, as the all-rounder quickly rose up the ranks and made a mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and earned a debut for the Indian team. Sundar played his first ODI and T20I at the age of just 17. He featured in the IPL for the first time in the 2017 campaign, aged 17, while playing for the Rising Super Giants (RPSG).

Sudharshan revealed that Sundar's growth has been a motivational factor for him and other cricketers from Chennai.

"He has been my inspiration since I was young. I have played a few games against him, so it is always special. To be honest, we have looked up to him a lot. 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. 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," said Sudharsan in an interaction with BCCI.TV

Sundar was visibly moved by Sudharsan's remarks and hailed the 23-year-old's growth. Recently, the Tamil Nadu duo also were teammates at the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2025 IPL.

"I have watched him on TV. There is a lot to take away from him, his skillset and work ethic he has got. He has inspired a lot of kids in Chennai, and I hope he will continue inspiring kids all over the world. He has told me about that quite a few times. A lot of my friends and coaches, as well, have spoken about his growth. He has only grown in the last three or four years and has got better with every year," said Sundar in a chat with BCCI.TV.

Sudharsan won the orange cap in the 2025 IPL after a stunning campaign that saw him make 759 runs, which included one century and two half-centuries at an average of 54.21.

The 23-year-old recieved a test call-up for the first time and is a leading contender to take the number three spot with skipper Shubman Gill rumoured to drop down to number four.

As far as Sundar is concerned, he returned to the Test team during the New Zealand series last year after more than three years and after Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement is set to get a long run in the team.

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