Felt a bit calmer in the IPL 2023 final, says Sai Sudharshan after impressive knock

Gujarat Titans youngster Sai Sudharsan admitted he felt calm in the all-important IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday. After Shubman Gill was dismissed after scoring 39 runs, Sudharsan joined forces with Wriddhiman Saha.

The left-hander added 64 runs with Saha for the second wicket. In fact, Sai got off to a sedate start as he scored 27 runs off 21 balls but he was able to change his gears.

The 21-year-old southpaw reached his fifty off 33 balls and then played at the top of his game. In the next 14 balls, Sudharsan scored 46 runs as he took the CSK bowlers to the cleaners. The left-hander smashed eight fours and six maximums in his blistering knock for GT and thus scored his runs at a strike rate of more than 200.

Meanwhile, Sudharsan amassed 362 runs in eight matches of IPL 2023 at an average of 51.71 and a strike rate of 141.40.

“Definitely, very happy and grateful to be able to contribute to the team. Seriously, I’m very happy and a little bit sad also. The result was not in our side,’ said Sudharsan in the post-match press conference.

The left-hander scored 43 runs off 31 balls against Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier before he retired out. Sudharsan admitted he had felt pressure against MI but it was not the case against CSK in the big final.

“Last game, I felt a lot of pressure, and came to a realization that being more calmer is much better and I have the ability to do it. I felt a bit more calmer this game,” said Sudharsan.

The Tamil Nadu batter added he learned a lot from Shubman Gill in IPL 2023. Gill amassed 890 runs in 17 matches of IPL 2023 at an average of 59.33 and an impressive strike rate of 157.80 to finish as the leading run-getter of the tournament and bagged the Orange Cap.

“Shubman is playing at his best and I’m learning a lot from him to be honest. Regarding this game, when Shubman got out, it was more of taking the game a little more deeper and even having a check on the scoreboard as well. I was trying to take the right chances and take the game deep as well,” said Sudharsan.

Meanwhile, Sudharsan must have grown in confidence after impressive performances in IPL 2023 and he will look to continue the good show in the domestic circuit.