IPL 2025: Sai Sudharsan’s remarkable 82 drives Gujarat Titans to 217/6

Ahmedabad, April 9 (NationPress) B. Sai Sudharsan maintained his exceptional form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 by scoring a brilliant 82, leading the Gujarat Titans to a formidable 217/6 in 20 overs against the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

On a red-soil pitch, Sudharsan showcased a blend of creativity, timing, and placement during his 53-ball innings, which included eight fours and three sixes both in front of and behind the square. He partnered with Jos Buttler and Shahrukh Khan for partnerships of 80 and 62, each contributing 36. Additionally, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan provided explosive finishes to help the Gujarat Titans (GT) secure a robust total.

After choosing to bowl first, Jofra Archer started off with a fiery delivery, hitting speeds of 152.3 kmph. Sudharsan narrowly avoided a top edge on a pull shot, then smashed Fazalhaq Farooqi for two boundaries through the square on the off-side. However, Archer eventually struck, taking down Shubman Gill with a 148 kmph delivery.

Buttler countered Archer's pace with an elegant drive through cover for four, while Sudharsan showcased his creativity by ramping Farooqi and lap-shotting Tushar Deshpande for two sixes. Sudharsan impressed everyone with his impeccable timing and placement, executing a straight drive and a late cut off Deshpande for two more boundaries, as GT concluded the power-play at 56/1.

Buttler’s stellar performance continued as he scooped and pulled Farooqi for consecutive boundaries, followed by a backfoot drive that sailed over Maheesh Theekshana’s head for another four. After slog-sweeping Theekshana, Sudharsan reached his half-century in 32 balls, although the off-spinner trapped Buttler lbw for 36 while attempting to pull.

With Sudharsan in full flow, Shahrukh added more momentum by hitting back-to-back fours off Farooqi before lofting Deshpande for a six. He then pulled Theekshana for another six, followed by two boundaries from edges. However, Shahrukh was stumped for 36 by Samson after misjudging a full, wide delivery from Theekshana.

The wide line worked again for RR as Sherfane Rutherford edged behind off Sandeep Sharma. Sudharsan showcased his power by slicing and driving Sandeep for two consecutive boundaries before nicking behind off Deshpande for 82, having been dropped on 81.

Deshpande struck on his final ball when a charging Rashid was caught by a diving backward square leg. By then, GT had surpassed 200, and Tewatia hit two fours and a six to ensure GT finished with another impressive total.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Titans 217/6 in 20 overs (B. Sai Sudharsan 82, Shahrukh Khan 36; Maheesh Theekshana 2-54, Jofra Archer 1-30) against Rajasthan Royals