Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan is having a dream run in the Indian Premier League 2025, where he currently holds the Orange Cap with 638 runs in 13 innings. He struck a fine century against Delhi Capitals, leading GT to a 10-wicket win, but a rare blip on Thursday resulted in the home team losing by 33 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with their chances of finishing top two taking a major hit.
“Right now, the most important thing is to finish in the top two so that we get an extra opportunity (of playing in Qualifier 2), if at all we need,” said Sudharsan after the match.
“The focus is more on that. Obviously, there are a lot of experiences and learnings in these 13 games (that we have played). So, we keep on filling the gaps wherever we feel like, and we will be ready for the playoffs.” he added.
The elegant left-handed batter is also chuffed about his selection for the upcoming India ‘A’ tour of England. However, Sudharsan — who has prior experience of England conditions while representing Surrey — sights are firmly set on guiding the former champions to Qualifier 1 and the final of IPL 2025.
“Mentally, we will have to be switched on for the IPL first. Once that story is over, then we can probably think about the India ‘A’ story. But definitely happy for that opportunity, and I think I would have a great time there,” said Sudharsan.
GT’s success this season can largely be attributed to the heavy-lifting done by the top three batters — Sudharsan, skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler — of Gujarat. This, however, leaves GT with an untested middle order, which has come under the radar in the game against the Mumbai Indians and LSG. Against MI, GT somehow managed to be on the winning side, but versus LSG, they failed to keep up with the daunting required run rate once the top three got out.
“I think the IPL is that kind of league where you can’t experiment, even if you qualify early in the tournament. So, I don’t think you can try a lot of different things in the middle order.” Despite a spirited effort from Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29) and Sherfane Rutherford, who shared an 89-run stand, GT fell short by 33 runs.
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“But I feel the middle order has done pretty well because even in the first 6-7 games, Sherfane stepped up and scored many runs in the middle order, changing games for us. Even in Mumbai, he changed the course of the game. Even Shahrukh got an opportunity today to showcase his talent. I feel the middle order is on course as well. I don’t think there is any gap or issue in the middle order.
“I feel things went well for all three batters at the top, so they didn’t get many opportunities to play in the first half of the tournament,” he added.
(With inputs from agency)