Agarkar & Co. placed a wager on the long-term outlook.

On Saturday, Indian top selector Ajit Agarkar explained Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan‘s first Test call-up by claiming, “We have not picked him because of the IPL.”

For India’s forthcoming tour of England, Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh are the only two players to be called up for their first Test match. “He appears to have the game to compete at the highest level and has displayed the proper temperament. We will likely learn more about him once he performs. He seemed to have the goods, though. Therefore, I don’t believe we chose him for Test cricket based on his IPL performances.

“We have known him as a terrific red-ball player (too),” Agarkar clarified.

Currently dominating the IPL’s Orange Cap race, Sudharsan is considered by many to be among the league’s top hitters. With 638 runs this season, the 23-year-old is still a little inexperienced in red-ball cricket, despite the fact that his inclusion was anticipated and even viewed as an inspired decision by the selectors. More accurately, in terms of consistency, his white-ball qualifications surpass his red-ball record.

From 29 games, he averages 39.93 in first-class cricket. Although he only scored 23 runs in the other three innings of the tour, he did score a century against Australia A. Down Under. Although he scored a century in the previous year’s County Championship, he only managed to score 165 runs at an average of 33 over five innings. He scored a century against the England Lions in Ahmedabad more than 15 months ago, but it is in white-ball cricket that he has most confidently and self-assuredly displayed his skills. In addition to his outstanding play this season, he scored 527 runs in the previous IPL, which made him the Gujarat Titans’ best run scorer.

Given that Sudharsan has shown good skill, calm, and poise, it is obvious that the selectors are making a smart gamble on him. Actually, only a few weeks ago, Ravi Shastri informed Cricbuzz that Sudharsan ought to be considered for the England visit. With a few daring choices, the selectors are willing to take a chance as Indian cricket enters the post-Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli era.

Despite being older than Sudharsan, Karun Nair seems to fit into that plan. The selectors have placed a great deal of trust in the right-handed hitter, who is currently enjoying a second wind in his career at the age of 33. Unless the management of the visiting team decides to give Abhimanyu Easwaran the first opportunity, both Sudharsan and Nair are anticipated to be in the starting lineup.

Easwaran, 29, is thought to have been unfairly left out of the Australia tour, especially after Devdutt Padikkal was selected for the Perth Test in the most recent Border-Gavaskar series. In any case, two of Easwaran, Sudharsan, and Nair are anticipated to be in the starting lineup for the most of England’s five Test matches, with one of them ranking in the top three. If they succeed, it will guarantee a seamless transition to Shubman Gill’s new age of Indian cricket.

Kiran More praised the selection committee’s choices and told Cricbuzz, “You have to punt on some players, you need to give them some time, say about 10 Tests.” “Players who require exposure, such as Karun, Easwaran, Sai, and Arshdeep Singh, will develop. It will take time for these athletes to improve. You give them the same amount of time as you gave Shubman. It’s a good team, all things considered.

“We are looking at all sorts of scenarios over the next two years,” Agarkar said in response to the question. What will strengthen a squad before that World Trade Centre final?

Arshdeep’s inclusion was the fourth most noteworthy selection call, behind Sudharsan, Nair, and Easwaran. Arshdeep (26), a left-arm pacer, adds a unique dynamism to the attack with his ability to seam and swing the ball, two crucial skills that are especially necessary in the English environment. Given that Harshit Rana was largely regarded as the front-runner for the fifth specialist fast bowler’s spot, the selectors’ choice to support the Punjab pacer was audacious.

Naturally, Gill’s promotion to captain over more seasoned and senior players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul is the selectors’ biggest gamble to date. It is understood that the latter would prefer to play for the team as a member than shoulder the responsibility of captain. In actuality, he enjoys his current role in the team.

“He is the vice-captain,” Agarkar said of Pant. Over the past four or five years, he has been among our top batsmen in Test cricket. The game is seen to the wicketkeeper from far behind the stumps. He currently possesses the experience. He is Shubman’s deputy because of this. With all the experience he has, you can assist him. He is also an amazing player. It goes without saying that we are searching for players who can lead the squad in the upcoming years. And right now, we think these two individuals are capable of doing it.”