"He is a number three in Test cricket"- Michael Clarke makes a big statement about rising Indian star ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke envisioned Sai Sudharsan to be India's new number three in Test cricket and one of the opening batters in white-ball cricket in future. Referring to the 23-year-old as a "superstar," Clarke praised the batter's technique and felt that he was well prepared mentally as well.

The southpaw won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, amassing 759 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 156.17.

"To me, this kid is a superstar, Sai Sudharsan. I think he is a number three in Test cricket. I think he is probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20I and ODI team. He is in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England.

"I think he can walk in straight to bat at number three. I think technically he's very good, he's got all the shots and mentally, he's ready. He really impressed me and he's a good looking player as well," Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

Michael Clarke rates Kuldeep Yadav as the best bowler of IPL 2025

While Prasidh Krishna won the Purple Cap at the end of IPL 2025, Michael Clarke picked left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav as the best bowler of the season. The 44-year-old also advocated for him to be India's number one spinner in the Test series against England.

"He wasn't the leading wicket-taker, but to me Kuldeep Yadav. He should be India's number one pick spinner. In England, he is my first pick spinner. He is playing he is a wicket-taker, he is an X factor.

"He was my bowler of the tournament. I think his reading of batters has improved out of sight. His courageousness to still the toss the ball up to attack to take the wickets. I loved watching him bowl and he bowled at the hardest times," Clarke said.

Kuldeep Yadav finished as Delhi Capitals' highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025, with 15 scalps in 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.07.