Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody has heaped praise on Gujarat Titans’ dynamic opening duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, crediting their maturity and adaptability for their blistering form in IPL 2025. According to Moody, the pair’s growth lies in their ability to shift gears seamlessly during an innings, a trait that has helped them dominate bowling attacks this season.
On Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sudharsan produced a masterclass with an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls — his second IPL ton — featuring 12 fours and four sixes. At the other end, skipper Shubman Gill showcased his own brilliance, hammering an unbeaten 93 off just 53 balls, with three boundaries and seven sixes. Their partnership helped Gujarat Titans chase down a steep target of 200 with an over to spare and seal a spot in the playoffs.
“They dovetail so well together,” said Tom Moody on ESPNcricinfo. “If one gets off to a quick start, the other anchors, and they switch roles fluidly. It’s traditional strokeplay, and it’s beautiful to watch. But more than that, they’ve both developed the ability to accelerate — from having just three gears earlier, now they have five. That’s what sets them apart.”
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Sudharsan and Gill have piled up 839 runs as an opening pair in IPL 2025, averaging an astonishing 76.27 with seven fifty-plus partnerships, including three century stands. Their consistency has not gone unnoticed, with veteran spinner Piyush Chawla highlighting their ability to seize every opportunity.
“They’re brilliant at turning the pressure back on the bowlers,” Piysuh Chawla noted. “Dot balls build pressure, but these two are so sharp with their running between the wickets that even good deliveries end up as singles. And when there’s a loose ball, they never miss the chance to punish it.”
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Chawla also recalled a standout performance at Eden Gardens against KKR. “It was a tricky surface, but Gill made it look like a belter. The moment he walked in, it looked like he was batting on a completely different pitch. That’s the kind of quality and class these two bring — they make the difficult look effortless.”
With form, fitness, and understanding on their side, Gill and Sudharsan have arguably become the most lethal opening pair of IPL 2025.
