Gujarat Titans spinner Sai Kishore has admitted that the pressure to perform in IPL is much bigger than that in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). The Tamil Nadu bowler enjoyed tremendous success in IPL 2025, picking up 19 wickets from 15 games, emerging as GT’s leading spinner over the likes of Rashid Khan. Although Kishore has been with GT since IPL 2022, his breakout year came in 2025 and he rates it much above TNPL or SMAT, in terms of the mindset needed.
Sai Kishore rates IPL over SMAT, TNPL
Speaking to Sportstar, Kishore noted that there was a lot at stake while playing in the IPL as it could secure one’s career. He pointed out that while the standard of cricket in TNPL or SMAT wasn’t much different, the mindset was. He drew a parallel with music legend AR Rahman, noting that no matter where he performed, the quality had to remain the same.
“When you go to the IPL, all your senses switch on. There’s a lot at stake because one good season can secure your career. In Mushtaq Ali or TNPL, the standard of cricket isn’t very different, but the mindset is. I see it like an artist. Take an A. R. Rahman concert — whether it’s in Wembley, Chennai, or Mumbai, the quality has to remain the same,” Kishore said.
Kishore further noted that while the IPL was tougher skill-wise, the TNPL was more challenging psychologically. The Tamil Nadu spinner admitted that he did not have a breakout season in the IPL until this year and hence TNPL was the only platform where he could repeatedly prove himself in T20s.
“Skill-wise, IPL is tougher. But psychologically, TNPL can be more challenging. Complacency creeps in — you feel you’ve played the IPL and now you’re back. Maintaining the same focus becomes the real test,” Kishore added.
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