Sai Sudharsan Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Image Credits: AP
Sai Sudharsan has found some support in his bid to break into the Indian T20I squad, as former India opener Wasim Jaffer has stated that the left-handed opener must be in contention for the Men in Blue side.
This comes after Sai Sudharsan’s amazing numbers in the last two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons for the Gujarat Titans. He scored 527 runs in the IPL 2024 season with one century and 2 fifties, but his biggest season came in IPL 2025, when Sudharsan made 759 runs with one century and 6 fifties to his name.
Sai Sudharsan’s record for GT in IPL 2026
Sudharsan has been in terrific form for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 as well. He has scored 501 runs in 11 games with a strike rate of 155.10 and an average of 41.75. He has hit one century and 5 fifties, with the highest score being 100.
Overall, Sai Sudharsan has made 2294 runs in 52 IPL games with a strike rate of 147.80 and an average of 47.79 with 3 centuries and a highest score of 108*. He was the Purple Cap winner for most runs in the IPL 2025, though the team couldn’t make it past the playoffs.
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Sai Sudharsan plays a brilliant knock to help GT defeat SRH
The left-hander was crucial to GT's massive victory over SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 82 runs. At a strike rate of 138.64, he scored 61 runs off 44 balls, including two sixes and five boundaries.
The surface was extremely challenging to bat on, but Sudharsan demonstrated excellent technique and poise to keep GT intact and lead them to an incredible score. He also found some help in Washington Sundar, whose 33-ball 50 knock took GT to 168/5 in 20 overs.
In response, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Jason Holder routed Sunrisers Hyderabad for just 86 runs, handing them a huge 86-run loss. With this win, GT moved to the top spot in the IPL 2026 points table, with 16 points from 8 wins in 12 games.
Wasim Jaffer wants Sai Sudharsan in India’s T20I squad
Sai Sudharsan, the top batter for the Gujarat Titans (GT), received a ton of appreciation from former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer. He complimented him on his consistency and expressed admiration for the manner he batted.
He said that Sai Sudharsan, who plays orthodox cricket but consistently scores runs in the IPL, must also be a candidate to join the Indian T20 team.
"To hold the orange cap again, he was not even in the race at the start, but the way he is making runs now and showing consistency—I have said it before as well that this franchise is suiting him, and the pitch also helps him. He plays orthodox and cricket shots, but he does not play slowly. He does surprise you. He scores on both sides and is very impressive.
The franchise relies on him heavily. He delivers time and again. We do not take his name for the Indian T20 team, but he is putting his case forward. This guy has to be there. He is scoring consistently. So why not? Why should we only see six hits? He is doing his job. His name should also be there in contention," he said on his YouTube channel.
What’s next for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026?
Gujarat Titans have only two more games to play in the IPL 2026 league stage, and one win will take them into the playoffs. They will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 16 at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. And in their final league game, GT will play Chennai Super Kings on May 21 at home in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
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