E2BET: Monty Panesar: Former England spinner Monty Panesar backed young left-hander Sai Sudharsan to become the next ‘Superstar of Indian cricket’, replacing Virat Kohli. Panesar’s prediction came after Sudharsan earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming tour of England, starting June 20.
Monty Panesar: The 23-year-old is coming off an incredible 2025 IPL season, finishing as the Orange Cap winner with 759 runs at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17 in 15 matches. The Tamil Nadu youngster has already played three ODIs and a T20I for India.
Monty Panesar: Predicting the next big thing in Indian cricket ahead of the England tour, Panesar told Inside Sport:
“There are some really good youngsters in the team at the moment. One particular batsman is a Surrey player, Sai Sudharsan. He looks very aggressive and fearless. He’s a player who’s done well in English conditions and for Surrey. I think he could be the next superstar of Indian cricket and take on the role that Virat Kohli did at number four.”
Monty Panesar: Kohli retired from Tests last month after an incredible 123-match career, finishing with 9,230 runs and 30 centuries. The 36-year-old also retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 World Cup triumph.
Monty Panesar: “Carry on the legacy of Virat Kohli” – Monty Panesar’s advice to young Indian team
Virat Kohli signs off from Test cricket as the only player to be named ICC Test Team of the Year captain four times — surpassing legends like Ricky Ponting and Alastair Cook, who have three each 🇮🇳🐐🤍#India #Tests #ICC #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/jYjbfG4EVh
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) May 15, 2025
Under him, Team India never lost a home Test series and won their first-ever red-ball series in Australia in 2018/19. They also dominated the ICC rankings for most of his Test captaincy tenure, finishing runners-up in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021.
“The one thing I’d like to do is carry on the legacy of Virat Kohli. The way he played Test cricket, I would like to see the young Indian Test play like that,” said Panesar (via aforementioned source).
Skipper Rohit Sharma also announced his Test retirement a week before Kohli, leading to India appointing Shubman Gill as their new Test captain. The five-Test series in England will be his first assignment, starting at Leeds on June 20.
