Home
Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) have picked from where they left off last season. Hardik Pandya's men on April 4 (Tuesday) registered a convincing six-wicket win against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. After the victory, the Titans jumped to the top spot in the points table as the franchise now has two wins in as many games played. The protagonist behind GT's win on Tuesday was Sai Sudharsan, who displayed a great head on his young shoulders.
Former India captain and batting legend showered rich praise on the GT batter and affirmed that he has all the ingredients to become a top player in the future.
"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," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
"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," he added.
Chasing a target of 163 runs, the 21-year-old walked in to bat with his team under pressure and Anrich Nortje breathing fire with the ball. The left-handed Sudharsan remained unfazed by what was happening at the other end and continued to play his game to perfection. In the end, Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 62 runs off 48 balls and helped his team gun down the target with 11 balls to spare.
Gavaskar took note of Sudharsan's temperament after the latter displayed excellent poise and calm while facing a quality Delhi bowling attack.
"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," Gavaskar continued.
"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," he opined.
Former India captain and legendary spinner, Anil Kumble also appreciated Sudharsan for his impeccable display with the bat against Delhi.
"He looked like a very organised player. Good against fast bowling, good against swing. He came into the first game as an impact player and certainly created an impact, he played a cameo," Kumble told official broadcaster JioCinema.
ALSO READ:
'Look at Shubman Gill': Furious Virender Sehwag's brutal verdict on Prithvi Shaw after DC opener's back-to-back failures with the bat
IPL 2023: Another injured player ruled out for Punjab Kings, 22-year-old lesser-known Indian all-rounder signed as replacement
