Gujarat Titans (GT) top-order batter Sai Sudharsan took Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowlers by surprise as he scored 96 in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final. With a sensational 96-run knock at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad on May 29, Sudharsan broke the record for highest score by an uncapped batter in IPL final.
The previous record was held by former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Manish Pandey who scored 94 in KKR's successful run chase in IPL 2014 final. Pandey helped Gautam Gambhir-led KKR pull off the highest successful run chase of 200 in IPL final.
Sudharsan missed out on becoming third batter in IPL history to score a century in final. But he helped GT post 214/4, the highest score in an IPL final. The previous best belonged to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) who scored 208/7 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2016 final.
At 21 years and 226 days of age, Sudharsan became the second-youngest to register a fifty-plus score in IPL final. Manan Vohra holds the record as he scored a half-century for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against KKR in IPL 2014 final.
The southpaw's 96-run knock is also the second-highest score by an uncapped batter in IPL playoffs. In IPL 2022 eliminator, RCB's Rajat Patidar became the only uncapped batter to score a century in IPL playoffs.
Titans’ MVP contender
Sudharsan will be on the list of one of the most valuable players in IPL 2023. The Chennai-born batter was roped in for his base price of Rs 20 lakh in the mega auction and retained by the defending champions before the mini-auction.
In the final, Sudharsan scored at a stupendous strike rate of 204.26. He hit eight fours and six sixes in his knock. CSK death overs speciallist Matheesha Pathirana stopped him from scoring a century by trapping him in front of the wickets in the final over.
Retired out in IPL Qualifier 2
It is to be noted that Sudharsan was retired out by Titans in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians as he was scoring at a strike rate of 138.70. He had played second fiddle to Shubman Gill who scored 129. His 31-ball 43 was studded with five fours and one six. He was retired out after 19th over to bring Rashid Khan in the middle.
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