Getting out hit wicket once can happen to even the most careful batters. Doing it twice in back-to-back matches, however, feels like cricket’s version of a freak coincidence. Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan now owns an unwanted T20 quirk—three hit-wicket dismissals across the format—but he still managed to turn the moment into a laugh after GT’s win in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, a result that booked the franchise’s spot in the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Speaking to the broadcasters about the dismissal, Sudharsan sounded like someone trying to treat the incident like a problem to solve. “I think I should try some things,” he said. “I’m going to experiment with some grip tech now, bat a few balls, and see how it feels. But honestly, I don’t have a lot of answers on how it happened.”
How it happened in Qualifier 1
In Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sudharsan looked in rhythm early before a moment in the third over swung the script. While cutting Jacob Duffy towards the boundary, he lost his bat—on the way to the shot, the blade ricocheted and struck his leg stump before the ball could even reach the fence.
Against Rajasthan Royals, the scene carried a strange sense of deja vu. In a chase of 215, Sudharsan seemed set for another major innings, reaching 58 off 32 deliveries as he and Shubman Gill built a commanding start. But while driving Brijesh Sharma’s low full toss through the off side, his bat flew out again in the follow-through and hit the stumps directly.
Sudharsan returned to the dugout visibly shaken, walking back in disbelief, while Gill dropped down to his knees at the other end as the unusual dismissal unfolded.
Quick facts
- Gujarat Titans opener B Sai Sudharsan has three hit-wicket dismissals in his T20 career.
- He suffered hit-wicket dismissals in consecutive matches: Qualifier 1 vs RCB and Qualifier 2 vs Rajasthan Royals.
- Qualifier 2 win vs RR confirmed GT’s place in the IPL 2026 final.
- The final is scheduled for Gujarat Titans against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Sudharsan and Shubman Gill added 167 runs in their chase of 215.
- GT have recorded four century partnerships in IPL 2026, with both batters crossing 700 runs.
It wasn’t the first time Sudharsan had been trapped that way in T20 cricket. His earliest hit-wicket dismissal came in 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium against Mumbai Indians. In the broader T20 record, Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik are the other batters listed as having been dismissed hit wicket three times in the format.
When asked about the latest incident, Sudharsan added a hint of humour. “Seriously, last game it [the bat] just bounced a few times and hit the stumps,” he said. “But this game, I just wanted it to hit straight away, I think.”
Gill’s reaction and the partnership story
With Sudharsan and Gill together, Gujarat Titans turned the chase into a platform. Their 167-run stand set up GT to sail through the target of 215, and Gill admitted he struggled to fully process what he saw happen again in consecutive games.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Gill said. “Two matches, two in a row, the way he got out. I saw some video on social media that he was taping his hands, I think. I’m going to have to do that in the next match.”
The partnerships have become the defining feature of GT’s season. The duo has now produced four century stands in IPL 2026, and both batters have surpassed the 700-run mark.
Gill also explained what makes the pairing click. “Honestly, I think we complement each other very well,” he said. “We understand each other’s game very well. And when we are batting out there, our communication is very good. We know one of us has to take down one of the bowlers. And I think we are very good in deciding who’s going to take down what bowler.”
Sudharsan, for his part, described how his role alongside Gill has grown over time. “I think it [the partnership with Gill] definitely evolved over the years,” he said. “I had great experiences in the first few years with the GT team, which gave me some exposure or some experience on what I want to improve. This year there are so many points where I can improve so that I’ll work on that and come back.”
