Sai Sudharsan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sai Sudharsan's journey with Gujarat Titans began in February 2022 when he was bought at the IPL auction, selected largely on the back of his TNPL performances. His debut came unexpectedly in April 2022 when Vijay Shankar was ruled out with an injury, and he stepped into the lineup. Over the next three seasons, Sudharsan grew from a promising youngster into the team's most reliable run-scorer. In the 2023 IPL final, he scored 96 against Chennai Super Kings, a knock that nearly won the title for Gujarat Titans before they ultimately lost. That innings announced him as a big-match player. The 2024 season saw him become Gujarat Titans' leading run-getter with 527 runs, highlighted by a magnificent century against Chennai Super Kings in Match 59 where he smashed 103 off 59 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes. But his defining moment came in the 2025 IPL season when he won the Orange Cap with 759 runs at an average of 54.21, including six half-centuries and one century. He became the youngest cricketer ever to win the award and the youngest to cross 700 runs in a single IPL season. Alongside opening partner Shubman Gill, Sudharsan also made history by becoming the first batting duo in men's T20 cricket to register 11 century partnerships.

In Their Own Story

The 2025 IPL season was the one where everything clicked for Sai Sudharsan. Match after match, he walked out with Shubman Gill and together they built partnerships that demoralized bowling attacks. Their 11 century stands set a men's T20 record that no opening pair had ever achieved. Sudharsan's 759 runs came at an average of 54.21, a model of consistency that included six half-centuries and one century. When the Orange Cap was awarded, he became the youngest player to ever claim it, and the youngest to cross 700 runs in a single IPL season. The journey from being a last-minute injury replacement in 2022 to the league's leading run-scorer in 2025 was complete. His 96 in the 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings had shown what he was capable of, but the 2025 season proved he could sustain that level over an entire tournament. For Gujarat Titans, he had become the anchor of their batting lineup, the player they could build around for years to come.

Reader's Guide

Sai Sudharsan is a left-handed top order batter who has been with Gujarat Titans since the 2022 IPL auction. His role in the team has evolved from a promising newcomer to the franchise's leading run-scorer and Orange Cap winner. **Key performances with Gujarat Titans:** - 2023 IPL: 362 runs at an average of 51.71, including 96 in the final against Chennai Super Kings - 2024 IPL: 527 runs at an average of 47.90, top run-scorer for Gujarat Titans; hit 103(59) with 5 fours and 7 sixes against Chennai Super Kings in Match 59 - 2025 IPL: 759 runs at an average of 54.21, won the Orange Cap as the season's leading run-scorer; became the youngest cricketer to win the award and the youngest to cross 700 runs in a single IPL season

**Partnership record:** - With opening partner Shubman Gill, became the first batting duo in men's T20 history to register 11 century partnerships

**Playing style:** Sudharsan is a top order batter who builds innings through consistent run-scoring. His ability to convert starts into big scores was evident in the 2025 season when he amassed six half-centuries and one century. His 103 off 59 balls against Chennai Super Kings in 2024 showcased his power-hitting capability, with 5 fours and 7 sixes.

Did You Know?

• Sai Sudharsan made his IPL debut in April 2022 only because Vijay Shankar was ruled out with an injury.
• He scored 96 in the 2023 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings, but Gujarat Titans lost that match.
• In the 2025 IPL season, he became the youngest cricketer to win the Orange Cap and the youngest to cross 700 runs in a single IPL season.
• He and Shubman Gill became the first batting duo in men's T20 history to register 11 century partnerships.
• His 103 off 59 balls against Chennai Super Kings in Match 59 of the 2024 IPL included 5 fours and 7 sixes.