"I have spoken with him regarding those" - Team India youngster reveals conversations with Virat Kohli ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Team India's uncapped player B Sai Sudharsan has spoken about his conversations with Virat Kohli about dealing with setbacks ahead of the Test series against England. The left-handed batter also disclosed congratulating the veteran after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the IPL 2025 final.

Sai Sudharsan is one of the three uncapped players included in the squad for the five-Test series against England, beginning May 20 in Leeds. Although the southpaw is yet to play a Test, his first-class numbers are promising; in 29 matches he has scored 1,957 runs at an average 39.93.

Speaking to The Times of India, Sudharsan said he has always admired Kohli's mindset and obsession with the sport.

"I just congratulated him after the final, it was a very special moment for him. But I've had a lot of conversations in previous years," he said. "What I've always admired about him is his mindset — the obsession that he has for the sport. I have spoken with him regarding those and how dealt with situations when he was not getting a lot of runs and finding it difficult. I think, as a cricketer, those are the times that you learn most, so I had conversations about that."

Sudharsan is coming off the back of a wildly successful IPL 2025 season, aggregating 759 runs for the Gujarat Titans to win the Orange Cap. However, the Titans' promising run ended in the Eliminator with a defeat to the Mumbai Indians.

"I've seen how he manages himself when he's not getting runs" - B Sai Sudharsan on Indian Test captain

B Sai Sudharsan. (Image Credits: Getty)

When asked in the same interview how his batting has improved by working with Shubman Gill, Sudharsan said the biggest thing about the 25-year-old is his mindset and belief in his own ability. He added:

"The biggest thing is the mindset, self-belief, the trust that he has in his ability. I've seen how he manages himself when he's not getting runs — that understanding of the game and life to maintain consistency. Then there are technical discussions as well which are also helpful."

Gill, who has succeeded Rohit Sharma as Test captain, faces a massive challenge in England. India's last tour there in 2021/22 ended in a 2-2 draw.