Gujarat Titans will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings in their last league match of IPL 2026 on Thursday, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the high-stakes encounter. Ahead of the clash, GT opener Sai Sudharsan opened up on the powerful emotional pull CSK has always had for him—an attachment rooted in the team he grew up idolising.
Sudharsan has once again delivered a standout season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the tournament’s most dependable batters. After claiming the IPL 2025 Orange Cap with a brilliant haul of 759 runs, the 24-year-old has carried that momentum into IPL 2026 and finds himself firmly in the hunt for another dominant campaign. Even after a slower start, he has regained his rhythm, crossed the 500-run mark for the second straight season, and continued to look increasingly dangerous as the competition moves into its business end.
With 13 matches played so far, Sudharsan has amassed 554 runs and currently sits fourth in the Orange Cap standings as GT prepare for their final league fixture. His consistency has been a major factor in GT’s batting stability, and the opener will be keen to turn the screws again against a CSK side that thrives on pressure situations.
Before taking on CSK, Sudharsan also revisited one of the most memorable knocks of his IPL journey—his maiden century in the league, scored against Chennai Super Kings in 2024 in Ahmedabad. Reflecting on that first hundred versus CSK, he said the innings carried an extra layer of emotion because of the deep connection he has with the Chennai franchise since childhood.
“It wasn’t a conscious decision; I think it was the grace of God, and it came at the right time. But it’s always special to spend time in the middle, especially when I play against CSK because, whatever may be said and done, there’s a deep emotional connection with CSK for me,” Sudharsan said.
He added, “I grew up watching CSK play. We used to stand on the road just to watch the team bus pass by our school. Those are fantastic memories. I’m grateful to God that I’ve been able to deliver some memorable performances against CSK.”
In that 2024 innings, Sudharsan struck a remarkable 103 off just 51 balls and helped craft a record-equalling opening stand of 210 runs alongside GT captain Shubman Gill. Gill contributed 104 from 55 deliveries as the pair forged a partnership that matched the IPL mark for the highest opening partnership in league history—previously set by KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in 2022.
