IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans' (GT) star Sai Sudharsan became the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 1,000 runs in the IPL after smashing his maiden century in the clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 10. The left-handed batter surpassed the previous record jointly held by legends Sachin Tendulkar and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who both achieved the feat in their 31st innings. Sudharsan reached the milestone in just his 25th IPL match, during the 2024 season's encounter against CSK at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sudharsan also became the joint third-fastest batter to score 1000 IPL runs, along with Matthew Hayden. Shaun Marsh, who won the Orange Cap while playing for PBKS in IPL 2008, holds the record in 21 innings. Lendl Simmons is placed second (23 innings). Jonny Bairstow, Chris Gayle, Kane Williamson and Michael Hussey got there in 26, 27, 28 and 30 innings respectively.
List of fastest Indians to 1000 runs in IPL: (in terms of no: of innings)
| Players | Innings |
| Sai Sudharsan | 25 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 31 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 31 |
| Tilak Varma | 33 |
| Suresh Raina | 34 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 34 |
In the 2023 IPL final, Sudharsan fell agonisingly short of a century against CSK, dismissed at 96. However, he made amends on Friday. The left-handed batsman smashed his first ever IPL century, reaching the milestone in just 50 balls. He had already raced to his fifty off 32 balls, and a six over long-leg off Simarjeet Singh sealed his magnificent hundred.
Sudharsan, along with Shubman Gill who also scored a century off 50 balls, tormented the CSK bowlers. Their opening partnership proved to be a nightmare for CSK. The duo went on to record the sixth ever 200-run partnership in IPL history. Their opening stand blossomed to a staggering 210 runs before they were finally separated after 17.2 overs. Sudharsan cracked a blistering 103 off 51 riding on five fours and seven sixes before getting removed by Tushar Deshpande. Sudharsan's opening partner Shubman Gill too dazzled with a phenomenal century. Gill scored a lightning 104 off 55 to help GT post a colossal total of 231/3.
In reply, CSK lost the match 35 runs.
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