B. Sai Sudharsan’s sport on the prime of the order has many praiseworthy options. Foremost amongst them in the T20 format is his skill, aided by a strong approach, to pile up runs frequently with out ever resorting to ungainly slogging. He has averaged above 45 in every of the earlier two IPL seasons for Gujarat Titans, and his 617 runs this yr — he’s atop the record of highest run-getters — have come at a splendid 56.09.
But if there was a bone to choose with the left-handed opener from Chennai in earlier editions, it was that he wasn’t explosive sufficient in the primary six overs to make optimum use of the sphere restrictions. The 23-year-old’s strike price hovering simply over 140 in 2023 and 2024 suggests he would ultimately catch up, however not inflicting important harm on the new-ball operators wasn’t acceptable when different groups have been teeing off instantly.
Like all prime gamers who search to always evolve, Sai Sudharsan has gone about engaged on that side in this version. In the PowerPlay overs in 2023, his second IPL season, he was meandering alongside at a strike price of 117.64. It shrunk even decrease to 115.49 in 2024. Now, although, he’s inflicting mayhem in opposition to the little white orb from the very begin, putting at 157.56 when solely two fielders are allowed exterior the 30-yard circle. As a consequence, his general strike price has additionally swelled to 156.99 this season.
Sai Sudharsan put it all the way down to a change in mindset. “I’ve started to believe a bit more,” he mentioned after hitting a century in Titans’ 10-wicket rout of Delhi Capitals. “From my mindset point of view, the belief I have has gotten better to take the game deeper and win games. I’ve expanded my batting, explored my batting, mentally I’m a bit more free and expressive.”
Published – May 19, 2025 05:53 pm IST
