Ask average cricket fans in India, their views on Sai Sudharsan the T20 batter — 8 out of 10 would diss him. But then, let’s just agree to disagree, the 24-year-old GT batter is tremendously consistent, and it turning out to be a mighty good opener in the format; at least the stats speak so.
Knocking on India doors?
On Wednesday, during GT’s 14th encounter in IPL 2026, Sai Sudharsan slammed his 7th fifty of the season, against a hapless bowling attack of CSK, in Ahmedabad. What is even more momentous is, this is his fifth consecutive 50 in as many matches, and joins a list of few big names, who have achieved this feat in the league.
It all started with Virender Sehwag smashing 5 for Delhi Daredevils, followed by Jos Buttler’s 5 for RR in 2018, and David Warner’s 5 for SRH in 2019. May continues to be exceptional for him, as he started out with 57 vs PBKS, 55 vs RR, 61 vs SRH, and 53 vs KKR. In the same match, he surpassed 600 runs in the season, for the second time in a row, in his career.
Even though he isn’t considered a serious option for T20Is for India, his consistency might have just, in a way, opened the doors for him. In fact, the biggest alleged problem with him, the strike rate has improved leaps and bounds too. In 2023 edition, he scored 362 runs in 8 matches, with an SR of 141.
Come the next season, he struck 527 runs in 12 games, at an SR of 141 again. The two seasons have seen it grow to 156. The six-hitting count is also on the rise. Before this match, he had struck 26 in the season, 5 more than last year.
Sai Sudharsan in GT vs CSK
It wasn’t the quickest of starts for the TN batter on the day. Initially, he was only 24 from 22 deliveries. But then it was one over from Anshul Kamboj, that he targetted and hit and six and a four there. Soon, he managed to get his 50 in 25 deliveries, stamping his authority over Chennai bowlers.
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