I've expanded my batting, and mentally I'm more free now: Sai Sudharsan

Published - 19 May 2025, 10:03 IST | Updated - 19 May 2025, 10:45 IST

Gujarat Titans (GT) made a dominating entry into the IPL 2025 playoffs with a 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on Sunday, and the main architect of the chase was the unbeaten opening stand between B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. Sudharsan, who scored a brilliant 108* off just 61 balls, played his finest knock of the season as GT chased down Delhi’s total of 199 with an over to spare. Gujarat skipper Gill complemented his partner perfectly with a 93* off 53 deliveries.

This unbeaten 205-run partnership not only sealed GT's place in the playoffs but also registered its highest-ever stand by an Indian opening pair in the league, with the duo scoring 839 runs together this season. The side now sits comfortably atop the table, eyeing a potential home playoff with two league matches still to go. Speaking after the win, Sudharsan mentioned his newfound mental clarity and focus on finishing games.

"There's a bit of joy when you finish games for the team. In the break we got, I was thinking on that [finishing games] a bit more. Between overs 7-10, they bowled really well [DC conceded 30 to leave Titans 93 without loss]. The momentum went down a bit. We wanted to take the game deep, didn't want to be desperate to take a lot of chances, have a cool enough mindset to take the game deep. And we got two or three big overs that changed the game. In the previous games, I took chances and got out. Here I was aware enough to take the game deep, and take my chances against the right match-ups," Sai Sudharsan said.

Sudharsan, who now leads the Orange Cap race with 617 runs from 12 innings, reflected on how he has fine-tuned his batting approach, which has given him the desired results this season.

"I've started to believe a bit more. From my mindset point of view, the belief I have is that I have gotten better at taking the game deeper and winning games. I've expanded my batting, explored my batting, and mentally I'm a bit more free and expressive. When I got after the bowlers, he complimented me, and we rotated strike and run well. In the middle overs, running is a vital thing for us. When I make some mistakes, he makes me aware, and similarly, from my side as well," he added.

GT batting coach Parthiv Patel credited their low-risk aggression and mutual understanding. The duo made sure to use a calculated aggression approach and attacked the DC bowlers at the right time.

"You talk of high-risk, high-reward. These two play low-risk cricket and still have the ability to hit down the ground and get boundaries and sixes. The fours they hit in the powerplay…I feel they know their game, on top of everything. People don't see how much hard work they put in, creating those basics stronger, that's why they're scoring runs. They communicate really well. Last year also, they batted brilliantly. When the season started, everyone thought Buttler would be opening. These two knew what they're doing. The opening pair is about chemistry and knowing each other's game really well, and these two know their games really well," Parthiv said.