Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan has written another striking chapter in T20 cricket, surpassing former Australia batter Shaun Marsh to become the quickest player to 3,000 runs in the format. The milestone arrived at Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders, where Sudharsan’s day was briefly disrupted when he was struck on his left elbow by a Kartik Tyagi delivery. He initially walked off the field, but returned soon after and delivered when it mattered most—finishing unbeaten on 53 off 28 balls, smashing six fours and clearing the ropes for three sixes as Gujarat chased down 248.
Sudharsan reached the 3,000-run mark in 78 T20 innings, edging past Marsh’s 85-innings route to the same figure. He has since moved further ahead, compiling 3,017 runs in 79 matches at an average of 43.72 and a strike rate of 142.17. His overall T20 output includes four centuries and 21 fifties, underlining how consistently he contributes at the top of the order.
With the bat this season, Sudharsan is also leading the race for the Orange Cap. He has scored 554 runs across 13 innings, holding an average of 46.16 and striking at 157.83. His tally features one hundred and six fifties, with his best score reading 100.
Importantly, his form for Gujarat has not been a one-off. Sudharsan has produced four straight scores of 50-plus this campaign—53* versus KKR, 61 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 55 versus Rajasthan Royals, and 57 against Punjab Kings. The run of performances comes after a difficult first half of the tournament, when he managed only one fifty in six innings, before recovering strongly in the second stage.
Turning to the match itself, Gujarat Titans chose to bowl first and made the early phases count. After captain Rahane departed for 14, Finn Allen struck at a rapid pace, posting 93 from 35 balls that included four boundaries and 10 sixes. Alongside Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi took the momentum further, and together they built a 95-run partnership that swung the contest in KKR’s favour. Allen’s dismissal came with the stand already doing its job, but Raghuvanshi kept the pressure on, hauling up his fifth fifty of the season while accelerating during a 108-run association with Cameron Green, who finished unbeaten on 52 off 28 balls with three fours and four sixes.
Raghuvanshi carried his innings to the end of the chase of overs, remaining not out on 82 off 44 deliveries, using four fours and seven sixes to help KKR reach 247/2 in their 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore each claimed a wicket to share the early breakthroughs.
In the chase, Sudharsan’s earlier injury scare lingered as he retired hurt early during the run chase. Still, Gujarat’s batting had enough firepower to stay in contention. Skipper Shubman Gill made 85 from 49 balls, featuring five fours and seven sixes, and he combined with Jos Buttler, who struck 57 off 35 with five boundaries and two maximums. The pair stitched together a 128-run partnership that kept the chase alive and brought Gujarat close to the target, but once Gill and Buttler were dismissed, Gujarat struggled to maintain the required tempo and finished on 218/4 in 20 overs.
For KKR, Sunil Narine delivered the most decisive spell, taking 2/29, and was also named Player of the Match for his impact with the ball.
With the result, Gujarat Titans sit in second place in the standings, having won eight matches and lost five, for 16 points. Kolkata Knight Riders are placed seventh, with five wins, six defeats and one no result, giving them 11 points.
