A Stellar Season for Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat Titans’ (GT) opener and current holder of the Orange Cap, played a key role in his team’s IPL 2025 playoffs run. With a solid season, he scored consistently and helped his team achieve great results. However, Sudharsan remains humble, believing he still has a lot to improve in his T20 game.
Focusing on Improvement
While Sudharsan’s debut for India in white-ball cricket and his selection for the upcoming Test series in England are major milestones, he remains focused on refining his skills. “I have a lot of things to improve as a T20 batter. There are many facets of the game I need to work on,” Sudharsan explained after GT’s elimination in the IPL. Despite a great season, he emphasized that his goal is to work on specific aspects of his T20 batting before making another T20 World Cup bid.
Reflecting on IPL Playoffs and Team Effort
“It’s good to see that I had a good season and was consistent enough for my team, but when the job isn’t finished, there’s no ultimate satisfaction,” Sudharsan said. Despite his personal success, he acknowledged the disappointment of GT’s early exit, particularly after their impressive start to the season.
Sai Sudharsan’s Role in the Eliminator
In the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians (MI), Sudharsan played a crucial role, top-scoring with 80 off 49 balls. His knock kept GT’s chase alive, though they fell short. MI posted 228, and Sudharsan’s efforts weren’t enough to overcome the target. He reflected on his performance, noting that after MI’s opening wickets fell, the team needed to step up. Despite a strong start, GT lost momentum after a few key wickets.
Partnership with Washington Sundar
One of the bright spots for GT was Sudharsan’s partnership with Washington Sundar. Together, they added 84 runs off 44 balls, bringing GT to 100 in the tenth over. Sudharsan was confident in his partnership with Sundar and knew that the duo could chase the target if they maintained their composure.
Challenges in Fielding and Catching Opportunities
Despite a stellar batting display, GT’s fielding let them down. The team dropped three catches, including two off MI’s Rohit Sharma, who went on to score 81. Sudharsan admitted that these missed opportunities could have made a difference, especially since the ball was swinging in the powerplay. He pointed out that if those catches had been taken, it could have been harder for MI’s new batters to settle in.
Focus on Red-Ball Cricket and County Experience
Looking ahead, Sudharsan’s focus now shifts to the India A tour of England, where he is set to feature in a four-day game. He also recalled his experience playing county cricket for Surrey, describing it as a “great experience” that significantly improved his batting technique. Sudharsan believes that focusing on the basics of batting has been crucial for his development and will continue to be an area of focus going forward.
The Road Ahead for Sudharsan
As Sudharsan prepares for the upcoming England tour, he is determined to continue improving. His stint in county cricket has given him valuable insights, and he aims to incorporate those lessons into his game. With IPL 2025 behind him, Sudharsan is focused on his red-ball career, with a firm belief in the importance of fundamentals for long-term success.
