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India vs West Indies 2nd Test: India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged that Sai Sudharsan is acutely aware of the intense competition for the prized No. 3 batting slot and the skipper Shubman Gill and the team management have put their faith in the young left-hander batter's ability to crack the Test code.

The Tamil Nadu southpaw, who made his debut in England earlier this year, has been going through a rough patch as his Test debut was marred by a 4-ball duck, and then he was benched for two straight matches. In the seven innings so far, Sudharsan has modest returns of 147 runs with one half-century.

"I am sure he does feel like he's got our backing, like he's got the captain's backing and the coaching staff's backing. And we feel he'll deliver on his promise very soon," Ten Doeschate said of the under-pressure youngster.

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With the swashbuckling batter Rishabh Pant, who is sidelined due to injury, is likely to return to Test cricket against South Africa and the second wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel impressing with his technique and run-scoring prowess, Sudharsan undoubtedly faces mounting pressure for his spot in the team.

"I'd imagine it does. You know, I think we showed last week just what a good player he is. We've known that all along. Sometimes he's got to fit into the middle order," Ten Doeschate said ahead of the second Test against West Indies, starting on Friday.

"And, in addition to that, there are other good players who are fighting for top three or top four spots. Shubhman got number four done for now," the assistant coach added.

"So Sai is aware of that. Look, I don't think you pursue a career of playing cricket in India if you don't expect that sort of competition. That's quite impossible and we know it is tough enough to deal with that. Like I say, he's got to go out there and score the runs we think he's worthy of getting," Ten Doeschate said as things stand at the moment.

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Ten Doeschate acknowledged that the young batter Sudharsan is aware of his position and the pressure for a spot in the team.

"I think he's under no illusion and he can't hide away from the fact that you do fight for a spot in this environment. You know, you saw Karun Nair get four Test matches in England," Ten Doeschate stated.

"There are a lot of good players sort of fighting at the heels of whoever has possession of that spot. So Sai just needs to focus on believing in himself. We've obviously got a lot of belief in him to give him that number three spot," the assistant coach said.