GT vs KKR: Not Shubman Gill! Graeme Smith and Tom Moody want Sai Sudharsan to get more limelight
Published - 11 May 2024, 04:54 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:11 AM
Former cricketers Graeme Smith and Tom Moody lauded Gujarat Titans (GT) batter Sai Sudharsan for his exceptional century against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Graeme Smith stated that Sai Sudharsan deserves more recognition, considering his impressive performances in the IPL 2024.
The Gujarat Titans secured a 35-run victory against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 10. The home team posted a formidable total of 231 runs in their 20 overs. In response, CSK managed to score 196 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Sai Sudharsan opened the innings alongside skipper Shubman Gill after Wriddhiman Saha's injury. Sudharsan started the innings slowly before shifting gears. The left-handed batter reached his half-century off 32 balls. The southpaw achieved his maiden IPL century off just 50 deliveries in the recent game.
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer forged a 210-run opening-wicket partnership with Shubman Gill. Sudharsan scored 103 off 51 balls, including five boundaries and seven sixes, before being dismissed by Tushar Deshpande. Gill scored 104 runs off 55 balls with the help of nine boundaries and six maximums.
Sai Sudharsan Is So Under The Radar - Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith highlighted the need for Sai Sudharsan to receive more acknowledgment. The former South Africa skipper also commended the partnership between Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, describing it as excellent.
"Sudharsan is so under the radar, he is the leading run-scorer for GT this season, the fastest Indian to a thousand IPL runs with a difference of six innings. He needs to start being spoken about a bit more," Smith said.
"The partnership was excellent, left-hand-right-hand combination, they ran between the wickets well; they picked their targets, and their matchups were just outstanding," he added.
Sai Sudharsan is in fourth place on the Orange Cap list in the tournament. He is the leading run-scorer for the Ahmedabad-based team in the prestigious tournament. He has scored 527 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 47.9 and a strike rate of 141.28, including one century and two fifties.
Sai Sudharsan Seem So Calm Under Pressure - Tom Moody
Tom Moody stated that Sai Sudharsan seems calm under pressure, noting his ability to score boundaries to ease the pressure. The former SunRisers Hyderabad coach mentioned Sudharsan's ability to maintain pace with the game effectively.
"The way this young player goes about his business is a joy to watch. He seems so calm under pressure. He seems to have the right answers at the right time," Moody said.
"He knows when to go big to look for that boundary to take pressure out of an over and he seems to be able to keep pace with the game," he added.
Sai Sudharsan will be next seen in action when the Gujarat Titans face the Kolkata Knight Riders at their home ground on Monday, May 13. The Shubman Gill-led team is currently in eighth place in the points table, having secured five victories out of 12 matches.
