IPL 2025: Why Sai Sudharshan may be the Biggest Star for Indian Cricket
Sai Sudharsan is on his way to high rise and become one of the most sought-after players on the Indian Premier League circuit.
He brings an inherent sense of composure and calmness to the crease, which can unsettle even the best of bowlers. Since his IPL debut in 2022, the southpaw has gone from strength to strength. In the previous season, he scored 527 runs for his team Gujarat Titans.
Even in the infancy stage of the 18th edition, Sudharshan is already holding out the confidence of crossing that mark, having made a credible 186 runs from just three matches played until now.
He essays that real talent, which can turn heads thanks to consistency and effortless batting. With a cool head and an attacking mindset, this young left-hander has proven he is not just here to make up the numbers, but to steal the show.
From his debut with the Gujarat Titans in 2022 to reaching the milestone of becoming the fastest Indian to 1000 IPL runs in 2024, Sudharsan has come a long way with the franchise but has an even longer way to go. With each season, his performances have been only getting more polished, with a subtle ambition to justify the curiosity surrounding his auction value.
Prior to the start of IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans had showed they were all prepared to go all out and retain Sudharsan’s services. They bought him for a whopping INR 8.5 crore, which showed his sudden rise in stature and his importance for the side.
From INR 20 lakh random pick to an INR 8.5 crore core player in just two seasons, this is described as sophisticated version of the ‘zero to hero’ story.
Sudharsan hasn’t just been a name on the player sheet, he has been a real game-changer. In IPL 2022, he chipped in during GT’s title-winning season. But it was the IPL 2023 season, where he really grabbed the headlines with a fiery 96-run knock in the finale against the Chennai Super Kings.
As the following edition commenced, Sai came back stronger than ever. He didn’t just maintain his form, he smashed records and scored his maiden IPL century against CSK. Whether it is the powerplay or death overs, Sudharsan knows how to balance between both and tread the path carefully.
With GT retaining him for IPL 2025, he is not just part of their present, he is central to their future.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra heaped praises for his technically sound knock in GT’s victory over MI in the recent IPL 2025. Chopra believes that Sudharsan’s game is perfectly suited for Test cricket and sees him as a future prospect for India in the longest format.
Over the last four IPL seasons, Sai Sudharsan has gone from an emerging player to a reliable run deposit, playing a significant role in Gujarat Titans’ success. The left-hander has already posted some incredible numbers in the IPL, averaging at 48.80 with a strike rate of around 141. In IPL 2024, he had collectively made 527 runs in 12 matches played for the team.
His unorthodox shot-playing culture, coupled with classical cricket knowledge is bound to take him ahead in the professional graph, and that day is not too far when BCCI calls the shot to have Sai Sudharsan in the national squad for Test cricket.
By: Tulika Agarwal
