Adaptable. Steadfastness. Effort. Stress. Environment. Esteem. When considered individually, these terms may seem vague, but when associated with B Sai Sudharsan, they form a coherent profile. It is no surprise that Sudharsan frequently referenced these concepts during a recent media session, as they reflect his character both as a cricketer and an individual. Notably absent from his vocabulary was the term visionary.

Prior to the Gujarat Titans' IPL 2025 match against the Rajasthan Royals, Sudharsan was observed practicing his effective scoop shot without a bat, positioned near the center of the pitch. Later, he successfully executed this technique against Tushar Deshpande, skillfully maneuvering across his stumps to send the ball soaring over fine leg for a six. Indeed, a visionary!

In the same over, he played an off-drive and a square drive that would make it to the highlights package of a classic Test innings and not to forget the charging down the track ramp shot off Fazhalhaq Farooqi for a six over third man in the previous over. Versatile, you see!

He also soaked in the ‘pressure’ exerted by Jofra Archer with the new ball and ‘respected’ the ‘conditions’, which offered good pace and bounce to the seamers who bent their back and then started to play his shots. And when he did, there was no stopping him. The GT opener's 82 off 53 balls laid the foundation for a solid 217-run total, which in the end, proved to be 58 runs too many for RR.

Sudharsan is not a fleeting T20 batter; rather, he is a visually appealing player. While the color of the ball and uniforms may vary, his adaptability remains unwavering. Recently, he excelled for India A in red-ball cricket, following his earlier achievements of earning caps for India in ODIs and T20Is.

In this IPL season, he has notably attracted the attention of Jos Buttler, whom he has successfully kept from dominating the top order at Gujarat Titans. The left-handed batsman's reliability as an opener has impressed Buttler. Currently, Sudharsan stands as GT's leading scorer with 273 runs at a strike rate of 154, making him a formidable contender for Nicholas Pooran's orange cap.

"Having someone like Buttler behind you provides a sense of security. It allows you the freedom to play your game," he shared with Hindustan Times in the JioHotstar Press Room.

However, Sudharsan does not simply play at will during matches. He meticulously analyzes the pitch before determining his strategy as an opener in this fast-paced format, which has increasingly become a contest of boundary hitting. After the early dismissal of captain Shubman Gill, Sudharsan formed an 80-run partnership with Buttler, skillfully adjusting his tempo multiple times, a pattern he has consistently demonstrated throughout this IPL.

For instance, in GT's IPL 2025 opener against PBKS, faced with a target of 244 runs, Sudharsan could have easily lost his composure and played recklessly. Instead, he took a couple of overs to gauge the conditions before launching into aggressive shots.

His innings of 74 runs off 41 balls, although not sufficient to secure a win for GT, set a solid foundation for his performance in the tournament. This was further evidenced in GT's subsequent match against MI, where Sudharsan contributed significantly with 63 runs off 41 balls, playing a crucial role in Gujarat's 36-run victory.

Sudharsan has never been overly concerned about his ability to score runs consistently. Critics have often highlighted his talent for hitting boundaries during the middle overs when the field is more spread out. For the Gujarat Titans (GT), however, batting during the powerplay has been a significant issue, as they recorded the slowest run rate (7.72) among all teams in the IPL last year during this phase. In his first three innings of the season, Sudharsan effectively addressed both concerns, whether intentionally or not.

In their tournament opener against Punjab Kings (PBKS), both he and Shubman Gill scored 32 runs off 18 balls, contributing to GT's third-highest powerplay score. During the same match, Sudharsan struck four fours and four sixes after the powerplay. In the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), he managed to hit five boundaries between the 6th and 12th overs, achieving one boundary in each over.

When asked to choose between strike rate and average, Sudharsan remarked, "It's all about the situation for me. If we need to chase a target of 270 or 280, versatility is essential. Conversely, when facing a target of 140 or 150, or on a challenging wicket, we must be prepared to fight and grind. On a good wicket, we should play aggressively, but on a difficult one, we need to be patient and play for the long haul."

Sudharsan wants to use GT platform to India breakthrough

Sudharsan He expressed his intention to fully utilize the freedom provided by the team management, which is headed by coach Ashish Nehra and captain Shubman Gill. "Ashu pa and Shubman grant me the liberty in my batting approach; they do not interfere with my strategies. They allow me complete freedom to pursue my own methods," he stated.

"Simultaneously, they offer valuable advice on areas for improvement in my game, suggesting better options or match-ups I could consider. They consistently provide me with constructive feedback while also allowing me the autonomy to make my own choices. I appreciate that our team fosters an environment where mistakes are permissible," he added.

Sudharsan recognizes that securing a place in the Indian white-ball teams is a challenging endeavor. A single successful season in the IPL may not suffice, but the 23-year-old is prepared to put in the necessary effort to reclaim his position.

"It is a dream for everyone to represent the country," he remarked. "The IPL serves as an excellent platform to demonstrate our abilities, and if we perform well, we earn the chance to represent our nation."

"However, I believe the most crucial aspect at this moment is to focus on the team's needs and the specific requirements of the situation during the game," he continued. 

"If I can excel in that regard and maintain consistency to help my team secure victories, I believe that other opportunities will naturally follow," he concluded.

Read Also: Virat Kohli's Awkward Moment: Reflecting on His Younger Self's Comments About Chris Gayle

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"