Opener Sai Sudharsan praised Gujarat Titans’ aggressive strategy in the powerplay and his partnership with captain Shubman Gill for their impressive first-innings score against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. Sudharsan’s quick 55 off 36 balls, along with a strong 118-run opening stand with Gill, propelled Gujarat Titans to a formidable 229/4 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Reflecting on the match conditions, Sudharsan noted the pitch’s initial batting-friendly nature, which later slowed down, affecting strokeplay. He emphasized the team’s focus on capitalizing on the new ball against Rajasthan’s pace attack, including the challenge posed by Jofra Archer.
Sudharsan’s aggressive batting saw Gujarat Titans reach 82/0 in the powerplay, their highest-ever powerplay total in IPL history. Despite the good start, he acknowledged the increasing difficulty of strokeplay against slower deliveries and spin as the innings progressed.
Maintaining an attacking approach, Sudharsan and Gill kept the pressure on Rajasthan Royals, not allowing them to settle defensively. Sudharsan highlighted their strong partnership and mutual understanding, which has been a key factor in their successful opening combination in the IPL.
Gill’s explosive 84 off 44 balls, supported by late contributions from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, helped Gujarat Titans finish with a challenging total of 229/4.
