Sai Sudharsan, the Gujarat Titans’ (GT) batting prodigy, has stated that he is not unduly concerned about being selected for India’s T20 team ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Instead, he wants to work on his shortcomings and improve as a batter in the shortest format.
Sudharsan concluded his IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) campaign with a stunning 49-ball 80 against the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, May 30 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh). The southpaw gave Gujarat hope in pursuing a daunting 229-run target. However, once he was ejected, it was always going to be difficult for the previous champions, who finished on 208-6.
Sudharsan presently owns the Orange Cap, with 759 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.18. The 23-year-old became the youngest cricketer to score over 700 runs in an IPL season. However, he is not eager to celebrate his incredible achievement and instead focusses on the things that might help him improve as a T20 batter before really considering a call-up to the national team.
“Playing for the country is clearly everyone’s goal, and I would love to do it. But right now, I’m not thinking along those lines. Looking back on the season, there are a few areas where I need to develop as a T20 batsman,” Sudharsan remarked in the post-match news conference.
“There are many aspects of the game that I need to improve before returning to T20s, so that is my current emphasis. Of course, if the occasion arises, I would do my best for the country,” Sudharsan added.
Sai Sudharsan demonstrates amazing form in the IPL and prepares for England Tests.
Only four players have more runs than Sai Sudharsan in a single IPL season: David Warner (848 runs in 2016), Jos Buttler (863 runs in 2022), Shubman Gill (890 runs in 2023), and Virat Kohli (973 runs in 2016).
Sudharsan will now shift his emphasis to red-ball cricket after being nominated to India’s 18-man squad for the highly anticipated five-match Test tour of England, which begins on June 20. The left-handed hitter has appeared in 29 first-class matches, accumulating 1,957 runs at an average of 39.93.
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