He has been one of the most consistent batters in the IPL, while opening with Shubman Gill. Many like Michael Clarke and Eoin Morgan have identified Sai Sudharsan as the next batting star from India. Level-headed and hugely hard working, Sai Su, as he is known, keeps things simple. In this conversation with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, he spoke about the team culture of Gujarat Titans, Gill as leader, the presence of Jos Buttler and his India ambitions.
Boria: Incredible consistency from you at the top of the order, and match-winning efforts, may I say. What’s the secret?
Sai Sudharsan: Thank you, and I will say I am glad I have been able to make a difference to my team. I’d say I have understood the T20 game better in the course of the last year and know what I need to do to be consistent and not push things too much. I have worked the hardest and prepared very well, and if I keep things simple and do what I know how to do, runs will surely come.
Boria: How is it batting with your captain and how is he as leader?
Sudharsan: He is an excellent leader of men. He will give you the freedom to say whatever you feel, and batting with him is an absolute pleasure. With him at the other end, you know he will soak in the pressure and play some incredible shots. Your job becomes easier that way, and you can just focus on your own thing knowing you have someone like him to bat with in the power play.
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Boria: And Jos Buttler – perhaps England’s greatest white-ball player ever. Batting with him?
Sudharsan: Absolutely true. Jos is such a calming influence out there. You know there is someone who is in control. He will constantly encourage you, and also make sure you don’t feel the pressure. He is a leader, and you will know it if you bat with him. I have enjoyed every minute we have batted together, and may I also say learnt a lot in the process.
Boria: You have made serious strides in the last one year. You also made the India A team and travelled to Australia. Is that the ultimate dream? Playing red ball and white-ball cricket for India?
Sudharsan: (Sat up and had a smile on his face) If you are a painter, playing for India is your dream canvas to paint. There can be nothing better in the world for a cricketer. And it is the same for me. But I will also tell you I am not thinking too far ahead. You just have to put in the hard yards. Work to it. At the moment, it is about the Gujarat Titans and helping my team. Having said that, playing for India is the ultimate dream and I will do anything to make sure I achieve it one day.
Boria: In its three years, Gujarat Titans have won the IPL, made the final and clearly established itself as a brand. It seems a happy team. What’s special about the team culture at GT?
Sudharsan: You will hear the word ‘family’ much too often in the IPL. We hear people saying teams are like families. In the case of Gujarat Titans, I can tell you it is actually the truth. The team culture is such that each one of us have a say, and have the freedom to express ourselves. We play as a collective and there is no “I” in this team. The management, coach Ashu Bhai [Ashish Nehra], skipper Shubman – each one is accessible, and I have to say I have loved my time here.