IPL 2025: Has Sudharsan Improved Mentally Without Changing His Batting?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) After playing a crucial role in the Gujarat Titans' advancement to the IPL 2025 playoffs with a commanding ten-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals, left-handed opener B Sai Sudharsan stated that while he hasn't significantly altered his batting technique, he has enhanced his mental approach to challenging situations.

During the match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Sudharsan scored an impressive 108 not out from 61 deliveries, marking his second IPL century, which featured 12 fours and 4 sixes, as GT successfully chased down 200 runs in just 19 overs. He received notable support from captain Shubman Gill, who contributed an unbeaten 93 off 53 balls, including three fours and seven sixes.

“I've started to gain more confidence, to be honest; my mental belief has improved. I don't think I've made many changes as a batter, but my mental approach has certainly gotten better. Looking at the spinners, I see room for improvement in my striking ability. After the 15th over, I have several aspects to work on, and I'm monitoring those areas,” Sudharsan expressed.

“There's a strong understanding between Shubman and me. We discuss our running between the wickets, and when I make a mistake, he points it out, just as I do for him,” Sudharsan shared during the post-match presentation.

When asked about his successful chase, Sudharsan replied, “It's fantastic to help the team secure a win. I've missed out on several opportunities this season, and during the break, I reflected on it, which paid off today.”

“After the first six overs, the bowling from overs 7-10 was exceptional, and we maintained our composure to take the game deep. A couple of big overs in the 12th and 13th helped. In previous matches, I took risks and got out, but I was mindful enough to choose the right matchups this time,” he added.

Captain Gill was pleased after leading GT to their third playoff qualification in four seasons. “It feels fantastic to secure that Q on the board. We have two crucial games left, and gaining momentum heading into the playoffs is vital. I aim to think like a batsman, not just a captain. Last season was a learning curve for me as a first-time captain,” Gill stated.

Regarding the training routine during the IPL 2025 suspension, Gill revealed, “We jumped straight back into practice. Our fielding had been subpar, and we took time to address that. There wasn't much gym work; I actually fell ill, so the break was beneficial.”

He praised his opening partner Sudharsan, saying, “He has been in stellar form this season, adept at converting his starts. We assess the conditions and stress on finishing the game, rather than leaving it to others, especially on a pitch where a few wickets can create pressure. At the halfway mark, we felt we had conceded 10-15 extra runs; they batted well, and the ball was spinning.”

Parthiv Patel, GT Assistant Coach, believes their strong batting unit contributed significantly to their playoff berth. “We’ve played exceptional cricket overall. This achievement is a testament to our hard work over the past few months. The low-risk style they adopt is commendable, allowing them to hit effectively,” Patel remarked.

“We often emphasize hitting sixes, but winning games comes from scoring boundaries. The unseen effort behind the scenes is immense. They communicate well and showcased their understanding last season. The opening pair thrives on chemistry and understanding each other's game,” he added.

When asked if he would provide head coach Ashish Nehra with a chair to relax during the next game, Patel responded, “Not a chance; his standing is why we are in this position. He has been exceptional. I've heard about the great atmosphere within GT, and now that I’m here, I can see it firsthand. It’s also about the hard work everyone puts in.”

Axar Patel, captain of DC, expressed disappointment that the pitch improved for batting in the second innings. In DC's score of 199/3, KL Rahul made his opening promotion count with a stellar 112 not out, but it was insufficient to avert a ten-wicket defeat, marking their fourth loss in five games at Kotla.

“Clearly, if you don't lose wickets, chasing becomes easier. I felt the pitch improved as the game progressed. We thought we set a par score based on our finish; KL was outstanding, and we believed this was a good score. The bowlers put in a solid effort, but we couldn't secure the win today,” Patel said.

“Our batting performance was a significant positive, but we need to enhance our fielding and powerplay bowling. The pitch was gripping and stopping in the first innings but became better in the second. Once a batter settles in, it becomes easier to score runs,” he concluded.