‘Shubman is such a mastermind’ - Sai Sudharsan reflects on opening alongside GT skipper ahead of CSK clash

Ahead of Gujarat Titans’ (GT) crucial encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 66 of the Indian Premier League 2026, star batter Sai Sudharsan reflected on his form, mindset, and growing partnership with the franchise skipper and fellow opening partner Shubman Gill.

The left-handed batter has once again been among the standout performers for the Titans this season, continuing his consistency at the top of the order. The Chennai-born revealed how he deals with difficult phases in a long tournament like the IPL and stressed the importance of staying mentally fresh.

“I don’t look at it as a lean patch or a phase where I’m not scoring runs. It’s a learning experience for me to move forward, improve, and get better. In an important tournament like this, it’s crucial not to carry the residue of the previous innings. It can eat you up if you enter the game with memories of previous performances lingering in your mind,” Sudharsan said while speaking on JioStar.

The stylish southpaw, still pretty much young in his professional career, added that adaptability has become one of the most important qualities in modern-day T20 cricket, especially with the format constantly evolving.

“So, I try to keep things as open as possible. If the game has gone well, yes, we can carry the confidence, but if it hasn’t, we try to keep our minds as fresh as possible for the upcoming games. It’s also important to understand how the game is evolving because T20 cricket changes very quickly. As batters, we have to be versatile enough to adjust to what the team or the situation demands. If we are able to execute that, I think that’s the best thing,” he added.

Sudharsan also shed light on the chemistry between him and Gill that they share while opening the batting for the two-time finalists. The duo has been instrumental in providing solid starts for the Titans over the last three seasons and has emerged as one of the most dependable opening pairs in the marquee T20 tournament.

"Shubman is such a mastermind. He understands the game so well and is tactically very strong. It gives you a sense of freedom to do whatever you want because you know Shubman is there,” Sudharsan remarked.

With the Titans eyeing a strong finish to the league stage, the opening combination of Gill and Sudharsan will once again be key when they take on CSK in a high-stakes clash.