Indian Test cricketer Sai Sudharsan has been sidelined with a fractured rib and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) high-performance facility, the Centre of Excellence (CoE). The injury occurred during a domestic match last month.
How the Injury Occurred
The left-handed batter sustained the injury while playing for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The incident happened on December 26 when Sudharsan dived to complete a run during his innings of 51 runs against Madhya Pradesh. This was not the first impact to the area, as he had also been struck by a ball in the same region during a net session approximately a week before the match.
He reported to the CoE in Mumbai on December 29 for assessment and treatment. A subsequent CT scan revealed the specific nature of the injury: a slender, undisplaced fracture of the anterior cortex of the right seventh rib.
Road to Recovery at the BCCI Centre
A source familiar with the rehabilitation process provided details on Sudharsan's current programme. "At present, Sai is undertaking lower-body strength and conditioning work with appropriate protection to the injured rib to facilitate healing, and he has responded well to the programme," the source stated.
The recovery plan is structured in phases. Upper-body training will be introduced only after acute symptoms subside, which is expected in the next 7–10 days. Following that, he will be gradually progressed into a structured upper-body strength and conditioning regimen under the supervision of the BCCI's medical and fitness staff.
Implications for Upcoming Cricket Season
With India's next Test series scheduled in Sri Lanka in August, Sudharsan's immediate focus is on regaining full fitness for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins on March 26. The young batter has been a key player for the Gujarat Titans, forming a successful opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill.
In other injury news from the CoE, Assam captain and all-rounder Riyan Parag is also at the facility, undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. This has ruled him out of participation in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
