Former Indian off-spinner R Ashwin, who is also a part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise in IPL 2025, expressed admiration for talented young Indian opener Sai Sudharsan. In an interview with Star Sports during the TNPL Auction earlier this year, Ashwin discussed how players from Tamil Nadu struggle in domestic cricket. Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan is the face of Tamil Nadu in the domestic scene and has been on a roll since IPL 2024. Ashwin clarified that playing well for Tamil Nadu is not a cakewalk due to the pressure and high expectations, but he views Sai Sudharsan as a promising star who has fought past these challenges with excellent performances. While speaking to Star Sports, Ashwin said: "It's not that easy to Play Cricket from Tamil Nadu. We fight within ourselves, if we stopped that Fight look outside TN means we might know how difficult the journey would be. My Shining Star would be Sai Sudharsan and he have a long way to go." Ashwin on Sudharsan, "It's not that easy to Play Cricket from Tamil Nadu. We fight within ourselves, if we stopped that Fight look outside TN means we might know how difficult the journey would be. My Shining Star would be Sai Sudharsan and he have a long way to go." pic.twitter.com/rgk4cZlj3h — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) May 26, 2025 Also Read | Watch: Brevis Launches 114m in Sixes in Super Sixes Challenge Sudharsan Eyes IPL Knockouts and England Tour Sai Sudharsan has been among the top batters in IPL 2025 as a player for Gujarat Titans. In 14 matches, he has made 679 runs at an average of 52.23 and a strike rate of 155.37, which is the highest. His five half-centuries and one century are additions to his tally of runs as a consistent top-order performer. Gujarat Titans have made it to the IPL 2025 playoffs, and the main reason for this is the opening combination of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. With the knockout phase approaching, the team and the supporters alike will wish that Sudharsan keeps his form. The 23-year-old has also been selected for India's Test team for the England tour. With the senior players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out, Sai Sudharsan's performance will not only be crucial for the IPL playoffs but also for the series in England coming up.