Image: From strike-rate doubts to IPL stardom, Sudharsan’s rise is unstoppable / © NDTV Sports
Consistency and aggression are two of the most valuable qualities in modern cricket, and Sai Sudharsan has shown that he has mastered both. Sudharsan, who played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, has been one of their most reliable performers in the last few seasons. He regularly scores runs, even in challenging situations, and has become a key part of the team’s batting lineup. What makes him stand out is not just his consistency but also his ability to maintain a high strike rate, which is important in limited-overs formats. With Virat Kohli retiring from T20 internationals, India will need someone who can take charge at No. 3, a position that Kohli owned for years.
Sudharsan could be a great option for that spot. He has the technique to play long innings and the skill to accelerate when needed. His calm presence at the crease and ability to read the game make him an ideal candidate for the role. Even in ODI cricket, where Kohli may soon move on, Sudharsan’s balanced approach and recent form suggest that he could be the next big name in Indian cricket at that crucial position.
What started in 2022, the IPL career of Sai Sudharsan wasn’t ideal as he didn’t get enough chances for the Gujarat Titans team in the first season. In his debut year, he played just 5 matches and managed 145 runs at an average of 36.25. While he remained unbeaten in one innings and scored a half-century, his strike rate of 127.19 raised some concerns. Many critics felt he was too slow for the modern-day T20 game, especially at a time when quick scoring is highly valued.
However, Sai Sudharsan has worked hard on his game, and his growth over the next few seasons has silenced all those doubts. In 2023, he played 8 games and scored 362 runs with an impressive average of 51.71. His strike rate climbed to 141.41, showing his improved intent and ability to pace his innings. He smashed three fifties that season and began to make a mark as a dependable top-order batter. The 2024 season was his breakthrough year. In 12 matches, Sudharsan scored 527 runs, including his maiden IPL hundred.
His average remained strong at 47.91, but more importantly, his strike rate stayed healthy at 141.29. With 48 fours and 16 sixes, he proved that he had added the aggressive gear that fans and experts were looking for. In the ongoing 2025 season, Sudharsan has already scored 273 runs in just 5 matches, with three half-centuries to his name. His strike rate has jumped to an exceptional 151.67, making him one of the most dangerous and consistent performers in the league.
Across 30 IPL matches, Sudharsan has now scored 1307 runs at an average of 48.41 and a strike rate of 141.60, including 1 century and 9 half-centuries. With 119 fours and 43 sixes, he has shown a balanced game that combines consistency with power, making him one of Gujarat Titans’ biggest assets in recent seasons.
The Indian team has always been in the need of someone who has the ability to pace the innings just like Virat Kohli has been doing it for the Indian team. Sai Sudharsan, since making his ODI debut against South Africa at Johannesburg on December 17, 2023, has shown that he could be a great fit in that role. In just 3 ODI matches so far, Sudharsan has scored 127 runs. What makes his performance even better is his batting average of 63.50, which shows that he has been very consistent in his short career.
Sudharsan has played three innings and remained not out once, showing that he can stay at the crease and build an innings. He has already scored two half-centuries in these three matches, with the highest score of 62 runs. His strike rate of 89.43 may not look explosive, but it shows his ability to rotate strike and keep the scoreboard ticking, which is something India has always valued in the 50-over format.
He has also hit 17 fours and 1 six, proving he can find the boundary when needed. Sudharsan opened the innings in all three matches and gave the team a steady start. His calm and composed approach at the top has made him a solid option for India’s ODI future, as after the departure of Virat Kohli, a player like him would surely be a valuable addition for the team, as he has the ability to govern the game in the middle overs.