New Delhi [India], April 10: Former India pacer Varun Aaron heaped praise on Sai Sudharsan after the Gujarat Titans’ young opener delivered a Player of the Match performance in their emphatic 58-run win over Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL 2025. Speaking on Jio Hotstar, Aaron highlighted a specific moment that underlined Sudharsan’s exceptional touch and growing stature in the league.
Sudharsan, just 23 years old, continued his rich vein of form in IPL 18, scoring a scintillating 82 off 53 balls. His knock helped Gujarat Titans (GT) post a daunting total of 217/3, laying the foundation for their eventual victory.
The left-hander showed maturity beyond his years, anchoring the innings after the early dismissal of Shubman Gill by Jofra Archer. Sudharsan seamlessly transitioned between aggression and stability, adjusting to the game’s tempo as Gujarat dismantled Rajasthan’s bowling lineup.
Aaron particularly pointed out Sudharsan’s brilliance in the 17th over, where he smacked back-to-back boundaries over cover off Sandeep Sharma, a bowler known for his crafty, low-pace deliveries.
“He has absolute role clarity and puts in a tremendous amount of hard work. I know for a fact that Sai is very committed, both on and off the field,” Aaron said.
“Those two sixes over cover off Sandeep Sharma weren’t easy—especially when there’s not much pace on offer. That shows how well Sai is seeing the ball and how confident he is in his shot-making.”
While Sudharsan stole the spotlight, Shahrukh Khan (36) and Rahul Tewatia (24)* also chipped in with impactful contributions, strengthening Gujarat’s dominant position.
Varun Aaron further applauded Gujarat’s team strategy, saying the Titans exemplify what a complete, well-rounded side looks like.
“They’ve invested in young talent and shown immense faith in players like Shahrukh Khan, despite his lean patches. Tewatia remains a consistent asset, and bowlers like Arshad, with his knack for key breakthroughs, add balance to the team,” Aaron said.
After the batting onslaught, Gujarat’s bowlers took over. Prasidh Krishna impressed with his raw pace, while the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore spun a web around Rajasthan’s batters, sealing a convincing win for the Titans.
Gujarat Titans’ all-round dominance and Sudharsan’s form have now become key talking points as the season unfolds, with the youngster firmly establishing himself as a rising star in the IPL.