Sai Sudharsan once again stamped his authority in the Indian Premier League, getting his campaign back on track with a polished 100 off 57 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Gujarat Titans batter, who made a strong impression the previous season, looked calm and measured as he built his innings, leaning heavily on timing and placement rather than raw power. He rarely chased the ball for maximum impact; instead, he picked out the gaps with control, kept the scoreboard moving steadily, and avoided unnecessary risk throughout.
That century also carried an important historical marker. With this knock, Sudharsan became the first Indian to register IPL hundreds in three straight seasons, underlining how consistently he has delivered over the past few years. The milestone further cements his standing as one of the most reliable top-order batters in the format. He now occupies second place on the overall list, with Chris Gayle still out in front after achieving the same three-season milestone between 2011 and 2013. The feat adds another layer to Sudharsan’s steady rise and his ability to produce meaningful innings at the highest level season after season.
The quality of his innings stood out as he appeared to be in command for much of the chase-building process, setting the tone for the bowlers to contend with. He made the most of a batting-friendly pitch and the relatively short boundaries at the venue—conditions that often reward stroke-makers. With the platform securely in place, he ensured Gujarat Titans remained on top across the contest.
At the other end, captain Shubman Gill took a quieter approach, allowing Sudharsan to control the tempo while he focused on providing stability. Together, the pair assembled a vital 128-run opening stand, giving their side a platform that kept RCB under pressure from the start. Sudharsan faced most of the deliveries during the powerplay, while Gill managed the strike and ensured the innings didn’t lose its balance. There was a clear sense of composure in the Titans’ batting as neither batter showed signs of panic or resorted to reckless shots. Their measured rhythm helped them accumulate runs consistently, and they attacked at the right moments without surrendering control.
It was Sudharsan’s third IPL century, crafted with 11 fours and five sixes. He maintained the run rate by finding boundaries at regular intervals, keeping the pressure on RCB. However, his stay at the crease ended shortly after the milestone, when Josh Hazlewood responded with a sharp return catch off his own bowling.
Despite Sudharsan’s brilliance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru managed to slow the momentum in the closing overs. A late injury to Rasikh Salam forced a last-minute change, with Krunal Pandya being sent in to bowl the final over. The decision didn’t work as intended, as Jason Holder took charge—hitting a couple of sixes along with a four. That late surge helped Gujarat Titans push past the 200-run mark, finishing strongly on 205/3 in their 20 overs.
