Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan: The Indian Pair Setting New IPL Standards

Have you ever witnessed more dependable partners at the crease than the one formed by Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan? It is highly unlikely, especially in the Indian Premier League, where the duo has established themselves as the highest scorers for an all-Indian pair. Gujarat Titans, therefore, showed great acumen by retaining them for the long term.

 

This was also one of the most brutal displays of batting in IPL history as they made mince-meat out of Delhi Capitals. Chasing a target of 200, they raced to the target without the loss of a wicket and with six balls to spare. As unbelievable as it may sound, they just went about doing it effortlessly. Right from the very first ball till the end, they were in full control and never felt a shred of pressure on the required run rate.

 

Sudharsan began aggressively, looking for gaps and punishing any bad ball. His fluent strokeplay allowed Gill the time to settle in. Once set, the GT skipper went into the next gear and was working at par with Sudharsan, shot for shot. Both timed their acceleration perfectly, picking the balls to attack and baffling DC. KL Rahul's amazing century in the first innings was brushed aside.

 

Shubman Gill-Sai Sudharsan partnership in IPL:

 

The interesting part is how routine this ride has become for the two. Their regularity is not surprising anymore to the spectators. They have been able to record seven 100+ stands within 30 innings together; only second to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers with ten from 76.

 

• Span: 2022-2025
• Innings: 30
• Runs: 1985
• Highest Partnership: 210
• Average: 68.44
• Centuries: 7
• Double-centuries: 2
• Fifties: 9

 

Their 1985 runs as a pair now stand highest by any Indian duo in IPL history, cementing their claim for the best homegrown partnership the league has ever seen. Overall, they stand fifth on the all-time list, just 47 runs shy of Faf du Plessis and Kohli's total of 2032.

  Most runs by an Indian pair in an IPL season: Rank Runs Pair Team Season

1	839	Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan	GT	2025*
2	744	Shikhar Dhawan & Prithvi Shaw	DC	2021
3	671	Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul	PBKS	2020
4	602	Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul	PBKS	2021
5	601	Virat Kohli & Devdutt Padikkal	RCB	2021

 

Their success is more remarkable, due to their style. Both rely on more than just power hitting but each have strike rates greater than 145 (Sudharsan) and 138 (Gill). In their run chase against DC, they achieved 10.7 runs per over which surpass the rate of 10, and thus making it a comfortable chase. Their elegant shot-making and impeccable timing, as a simple cricket fan, is pleasurable. GT may rely on them a lot but it has also become a strength and not a risk because of their trust.