In a thrilling encounter against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans’ (GT) young opener Sai Sudharsan delivered a batting masterclass. With a scintillating knock of 82 runs off just 53 deliveries, Sudharsan not only set the foundation for a massive total but also etched his name in the record books of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His innings, which included eight elegant fours and three towering sixes, propelled GT to an imposing total of 217/6.

This inning was more than just another impressive knock—it pushed Sudharsan to the second position in the list of highest run-scorers after the first 30 IPL innings. He now has 1,307 runs to his name, trailing only Shaun Marsh, who leads the chart with 1,338 runs. With this achievement, Sudharsan has surpassed some of the biggest names in T20 cricket history, including Chris Gayle (1,141), Kane Williamson (1,096), and Matthew Hayden (1,082).

A Historic Feat at a Beloved Venue

Sudharsan’s heroics at the Narendra Modi Stadium have been a consistent feature in IPL 2024. Remarkably, he has now scored five consecutive 50-plus scores at this venue—making him the only Indian to ever achieve such a feat in IPL history. His last two innings at the ground have been nothing short of sensational: an unbeaten 84 followed by a commanding century.

His form at this venue speaks volumes about his adaptability and understanding of the pitch conditions. On Wednesday, it was no different. Despite a slightly tricky start with the ball moving around early, Sudharsan held his composure and adapted quickly to the conditions.

Understanding the Pitch and Building the Innings

Speaking after the match, Sudharsan offered some valuable insight into his thought process and how the GT team approached the innings. “The surface was swinging a bit at the start, but the wicket was good to bat on,” he remarked. He credited his team’s strategic pacing of the innings and acknowledged that the initial overs were about consolidation before accelerating toward the death.

“He (Jofra Archer) started well, but we consolidated after. We understood the wicket was really good, so we wanted to push a bit more,” Sudharsan explained, highlighting how the team adjusted mid-innings to optimize scoring opportunities.

GT’s plan was evident as the batters, led by Sudharsan, expertly shifted gears after the powerplay, targeting bowlers with precision. Though they believed they were 15 runs short of their ultimate target, the final score of 217 was still considered highly competitive. “The way we were going, we felt we could get 15 more, but this is still a great score,” he added confidently.

On Handling Pressure and Personal Growth

What stands out about Sai Sudharsan is not just his runs but also his maturity and clarity of thought. When asked about his consistency, the left-hander humbly downplayed any structured pursuit of milestones. “I’m not trying to be consistent in any way, just reacting to the situation and doing the best out of it,” he said, revealing a mindset focused more on process than results.

His ability to handle express pace was also tested during the game, particularly against Jofra Archer. Comparing him to another speedster, Sudharsan said, “I faced Nortje last year, but he was probably quicker. Jofra got a bit of purchase off the wicket today. Slower ones and change of pace will hold on the wicket, so I feel we have a good score.”

The Road Ahead for Rajasthan Royals

With GT putting up a total well above 200, the pressure is now on the Rajasthan Royals. Sudharsan noted that dew is unlikely to play a factor in the second innings, which adds to RR’s challenge. Chasing 218 under lights in Ahmedabad, on a pitch that could assist slower deliveries, will require a near-perfect effort from the Royals’ batters.

GT, on the other hand, will be backing their bowlers to complete the job and defend what Sudharsan helped set up with his stellar performance. If the Titans do clinch victory, much of the credit will belong to their young opener, who continues to rise as one of the IPL’s brightest stars.