New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) B Sai Sudharsan, the opener for Gujarat Titans and the top run-scorer in the 2025 IPL, acknowledges that adopting a new identity and accepting responsibility were pivotal lessons from his breakout season. He emphasizes that the culture of his franchise significantly contributed to his achievements in the ten-team league.

During IPL 2025, the left-handed Sudharsan scored an impressive 759 runs with an average of 54.2 and a strike rate of 156.17, marking his best performance in four years within the tournament. As he prepares for the upcoming season, Sudharsan is fresh off playing six Tests for India and is recovering from a right seventh rib fracture sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“The primary lesson I learned was entering a new identity and embracing responsibility. That was crucial for my growth this past season. The results stemmed from the hard work and dedication we put in over the last year,” Sudharsan shared with IANS in an exclusive interview on Friday, just ahead of GT's IPL 2026 opener against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on March 31.

When asked about a specific moment that marked a turning point in his outstanding batting performance last year, Sudharsan recalled his unbeaten 108 against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he and Shubman Gill, who scored 93 not out, successfully chased down 200 runs without losing a wicket.

“As part of GT, both Shubman and I focused on taking the game deep, aiming to secure wins for the team. The match against DC was pivotal for us, as we finished without losing a wicket, which boosted our confidence significantly. That was an essential turning point,” he explained.

Sudharsan also expressed gratitude for the insights gained from partnering with Gill over the past four seasons. “It's a great question. I've learned a tremendous amount from Shubman. Over these four years, our partnerships and discussions on improving our game have been invaluable. I look forward to continuing that journey.”

Regarding the environment at GT, recognized for its supportive culture that nurtures young talent, Sudharsan mentioned that the ability to express himself freely has been crucial to his development.

“This environment has shaped my career significantly. As a young player, there are numerous doubts and questions. Here, I feel encouraged to express myself instead of holding back. There was room for me to explore my style, which provided immense mental freedom and allowed me to engage in authentic conversations, fostering my growth over time.”

Sudharsan, known for his blend of elegant and unconventional stroke play as well as his remarkable power-hitting ability, stated that his enhanced skills are grounded in mastering the fundamentals.

“I concentrate heavily on the basics—simple techniques that can be replicated against any delivery. Key aspects for me include timing and maintaining my position, which ultimately benefits both my white-ball and red-ball cricket performance, especially in limited-overs formats where I can generate more power while batting.”

He elaborated that sharper decision-making, rather than a complete overhaul of his technique, has aligned him with the evolving demands of the shortest format. “I don’t perceive it as the sport evolving too drastically. However, I can confirm that my decision-making has certainly improved, and the scoring options I consider against bowlers have expanded. Rather than solely focusing on enhancing my power-hitting, I am refining my timing to match the game’s requirements.”

Sudharsan concluded by reflecting on his early interactions with Australian batting icon Matthew Hayden, who has joined GT as batting coach this season. “We’ve had engaging discussions about the mental aspects of the game and how to gain an advantage over bowlers and opponents. Although our conversations have been limited, I find them intriguing and look forward to learning more from him. Given his legendary status, I’m eager to gain insights applicable to Test cricket as well.”