India’s young batting star Sai Sudharsan is facing a significant setback after fracturing a rib during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match, an injury that could rule him out of action for up to six to eight weeks. The 24-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Tamil Nadu against Madhya Pradesh in Ahmedabad.
According to sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sudharsan fractured the anterior cortex of his seventh right rib while attempting a diving run during the match. He later reported to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru on December 29, where scans confirmed a slender, undisplaced fracture in the same area where he had previously been hit during a net session earlier in the tournament.
A COE medical report stated that Sudharsan has begun lower-body strength and conditioning exercises with protective measures in place to aid the healing process. The report added that upper-body training will only be introduced after his acute symptoms settle over the next seven to ten days, following which he will gradually return to a structured strength and conditioning routine.
While the injury is expected to keep him out of Tamil Nadu’s remaining Ranji Trophy fixtures, there is optimism that Sudharsan could recover in time for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is slated to represent Gujarat Titans. Medical experts suggest rib fractures of this nature typically require six to eight weeks for full recovery.
Sudharsan’s injury comes at a challenging phase in his career. Despite being regarded as a promising talent, he has endured a difficult run in Test cricket, managing to impress in only two of his 11 innings so far. The enforced break, however, may give him valuable time to recover fully and return stronger.
Fans and selectors alike will be closely monitoring his rehabilitation, hoping to see the stylish left-hander back in competitive cricket soon.
