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Cricket

“Sai Sudarshan will do something great for Indian cricket,” says Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya

Sai Sudharsan’s meteoric ascent as a reliable top-order option for Gujarat Titans has been impressive. The left-hander from Tamil Nadu, who made his IPL debut last year, has put his hand up to earn the No.3 place after Kane Williamson was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a knee injury. Sudharsan’s performance at No.3 gave Gujarat Titans management the confidence to bring in Dasun Shanaka, a finisher, as Williamson’s substitute.

Hardik Pandya expects Gujarat Titans colleague Sai Sudharsan to perform “great things” in franchise cricket over the next two years. Sudharsan made an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls to help Titans win their second game in a row.

“Sai Sudharsan is been batting terrifically. Credit to the support staff and to him as well. The amount of batting he’s done in the last 15 days, all the result you see is all his hard work. Going forward, if I’m not wrong, in two years, he’ll do something great for franchise cricket and eventually for India,” said Hardik at the post match presentation.

He stated that his winning motto is to trust his intuition. “It is my instinct. I like to back myself. I’d rather back me and fall down than taking others’ decision. I’d rather land the first punch than take the first punch,” he added.

Sudharsan, who came in as an Impact Player for the IPL 2023 opener against Chennai Super Kings, looked set for a 22-run knock but was caught by Rajvardhan Hangargekar. He wasn’t about to let his good start against the Delhi Capitals go to ruin.

Sai’s nervousness was palpable in the first few shots he took at the start of his inning. After a few shots, Sai settled into the game and showed his actual abilities.

Sudharsan dug hard after Gujarat Titans lost openers Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, and skipper Hardik Pandya in rapid succession, chasing 162 for win on a Kotla surface that was periodically playing tricks. He and Impact Player Vijay Shankar (29) put up a critical 53-run stand to get the reigning champion’s chase back on track. When the latter collapsed, Sudharsan had the help of the hugely experienced David Miller, who made sure the kid did not feel the burden of the asking rate. Miller smashed a couple of sixes, while Sudharsan chipped in with a four and a six off DC’s quickest bowler Nortje in the 17th over.

” A little bit nervous as this is my first time here. I was thinking what has to be done right. I wasn’t under pressure, I was just calculating the right things. It was a bit low and skidding through, I was thinking to take the right options. My plan was to take the game deep and taking it through. Weathering the storm early on. It was quite difficult, it was seaming initially, that was the highlight for me,” Sai Sudharsan said.

Gujarat Titans will be looking to maintain their perfect record against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday at Eden Gardens.

 

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