Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat Titans’ consistent top-order performer, has credited much of his growth in the IPL to the influence of his captain, Shubman Gill. In what has been a breakthrough 2025 season for the stylish left-hander, Sudharsan has already racked up 504 runs from just 10 matches, including five fluent half-centuries. His ability to anchor and accelerate has been pivotal to GT’s resurgence, and behind that success, he says, is the quiet mentorship of Gill.
“I’ve always looked up to Shubman over these three years,” Sudharsan said on JioCinema’s ‘Gen Bold’. “If I’m struggling in the nets or against a particular bowler, he’s the first person I turn to. Watching him bat and lead has shaped my mental game. He’s competitive, calm, and understands exactly what a player needs when they’re under pressure. He creates a comfort zone where players can recover, and that’s rare in a captain. We’ve built a good on-field rapport, and I hope this season brings more special memories together.”
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For Sai Sudharsan, personal milestones like the Orange Cap are secondary. “The Orange Cap is a by-product. The main focus is to score impactful runs at a good strike rate. If you chase individual accolades, you end up restricting yourself. But when you play with freedom and put the team first, the rewards follow.”
He also spoke about the strong culture within the GT camp that has helped him thrive. “From year one, Ashish Nehra and the support staff have placed immense trust in me. That sense of belonging, of being backed, pushes you to repay the faith. In this team, there’s no judgment—you’re free to express yourself. That brings out the best in a player.”
Reflecting on his famous knock in the 2023 IPL final, where he scored a match-defining 96, Sudharsan said the emotions from being retired out in the previous qualifier still linger.
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“That final was the most dramatic game I’ve ever been part of. What happened in the qualifier stayed with me, and I used that as fuel. There was a strange blend of freedom and determination driving me. I wanted to make a statement, and I think that’s what helped me deliver in the final.”
With maturity beyond his years and performances that speak volumes, Sai Sudharsan has not just emerged as GT’s batting mainstay, but as one of IPL 2025’s standout stars.
