IPL 2025: Sai Sudharsan’s methodical brilliance powers Gujarat to the top

Dubai: At times, Gujarat Titans had to drag Sai Sudharsan out of the nets. That’s how relentless the left-hander has been in his pursuit of perfection. On Wednesday night, all that work translated into a masterclass in control and timing, as Sudharsan’s knock guided Gujarat to a statement 58-run win over Rajasthan Royals and top spot in the Indian Premier League 2025 table.

The 23-year-old struck his third half-century of the season — a fluent 82 off 53 balls — as Gujarat posted 217 for six after being put in to bat at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna then returned figures of 3-24 to help bowl out Rajasthan for 159 in 19.2 overs, despite a 52-run effort from Shimron Hetmyer.

It was Gujarat’s fourth win in five matches and their most commanding yet. Rajasthan, on the other hand, slipped to a third defeat in five games.

Sudharsan’s purple patch now places him just 16 runs behind Nicholas Pooran in the Orange Cap race. But unlike the power-hitting West Indian, Sudharsan has quietly dismantled attacks with a methodical, almost surgical approach.

Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel said Sudharsan’s form comes as no surprise given the intensity of his preparation.

“I think, having seen him in the last month or so, he works really hard. I’m not surprised at all that he is getting these kinds of results,” Parthiv said after the match. “There were times when we had to drag him out of the nets. He keeps it simple. In this era, it’s easy to get carried away — you have to hit so many sixes, or play at a certain strike rate. But he understands his game and backs it. That’s why you see consistent performances.”

Gujarat had a shaky start after Jofra Archer bowled skipper Shubman Gill with a 147kph rocket. But Sudharsan steadied the innings and stitched a crucial 80-run stand with England’s Jos Buttler, who made 36.

“I always try to see what I can do better, trying to improve my awareness and skill,” said Sudharsan, who was named Player of the Match. “I feel I work a lot on basics — that is helping me be a versatile batter.”

He kept up the attack until the 19th over, when he was dismissed by Tushar Deshpande, who also sent back Rashid Khan shortly after.

Rajasthan’s chase unravelled early as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the second over to Arshad Khan. Sanju Samson fought on with a 41, but regular wickets — including a double strike from Krishna — derailed their momentum. Hetmyer briefly revived hopes with a brisk 52, but once he fell, the innings fizzled out.

Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore picked up two wickets apiece, wrapping up a clinical performance.

Gujarat look every bit the title contenders again, while Rajasthan’s early promise is beginning to unravel.

— With inputs from agencies