Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan can become a top-level player sooner than later. Gavaskar’s said after the 21-year-old left-hand batter scored an unbeaten 62 in just 46 balls in Gujarat’s 6-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in Match 7 of IPL 2023 on Tuesday, April 4 as well.
Sai Sudharsan, who scored a fifty in his debut season with Gujarat Titans in 2022, came into the IPL on the back of a stunning domestic season where he scored 610 runs, including 3 tons in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and 572 runs, including 2 centuries, in 7 matches in Ranji Trophy.
Speaking to Star Sports after Gujarat’s win, Sunil Gavaskar said, “What you saw with Sai Sudharsan, even in the previous game, is confidence. Yes, he played a few games in the IPL last year. He got a few opportunities, he played a couple of good 30-plus innings. The other day also… the confidence with which he came into bat. From the first delivery, he looked as if he belonged there. Some players give you the impression that they are comfortable even at the highest level.”
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“He showed he is ready for the challenge. He was looking forward to the Nortje challenge. He realised he wouldn’t be able to counter-attack Nortje with the speed that he was bowling. Later on when Nortje came for the second spell, he hit him for two sixes. Now that’s smart cricket. Look, at this stage, I need to repair the innings, so he was watchful. In this format, lot of times everybody thinks you have to go over the top,” Sunil Gavaskar again shared.
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“It tells you he is ready for bigger challenges. He has got to not think now that he has done it. He has got to say to himself that there are steps to be taken before he reaches the very top level. But he has got all the makings. He is a top fielder as well, which is always a plus. It was his temperament that shone through. I have always believed that it’s the temperament that separates the men from the boys. He has all the potential to become a top player soon,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
Gujarat Titans will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on April 9.
