DC vs GT IPL 2023: Hardik Pandya lauds Sai Sudharsan, says he is destined for ‘something great’ in two years – Times of India

Gujarat Titans’ batter Sai Sudharsan‘s unbeaten half-century guided the defending champions to their second consecutive win in the IPL on Tuesday, which impressed GT skipper Hardik Pandya, who predicted that the 21-year-old Sudharsan will do great things in franchise cricket as well as for India two years down the line.
Sudharsan made an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls as Titans tamed Delhi Capitals for their second win as many games.
“He (Sai Sudharsan) has been batting terrifically. Credit to the support staff and to him as well. The amount of batting he’s done in the last 15 days, all the result you see is all his hard work. Going forward, if I’m not wrong, in two years, he’ll do something great for franchise cricket and eventually for India,” said Hardik at the post match presentation.

He said the winning mantra for him is to back his instincts.
Opting to bowl, Pandya made some smart bowling changes to restrict home team Delhi Capitals to 162/8 before winning the contest by six wickets with 11 balls to spare.
“It is my instinct. I like to back myself. I’d rather back me and fall down than taking others’ decision. I’d rather land the first punch than take the first punch,” said the GT skipper.
In pursuit of 163, GT lost their key wickets of Shubman Gill and Pandya to be 54/3 inside the Powerplay. But 21-year-old Sai Sudharshan showed fine composure to anchor the chase with an unbeaten effort.

Pandya further said they had a “funny” start and gave away 15-20 runs extra in the Powerplay.
“It was little funny at the start. We didn’t know what was happening but something was happening. We gave away 15-20 runs more in the powerplay. But our bowlers did well to bounce back.”
For Delhi Capitals, this was their second loss on the trot, having lost the season opener to Lucknow Super Giants.

Warner blamed it on the conditions and said: “It swung more than I anticipated. Losing wickets in the powerplay can be struggle. They showed how to adapt to the situation and it is a learning for us.”
“We have got six more games here and anticipate the swing upfront. They bowled extremely well. We were in the game but Sai batted extremely well and David Miller took it away.”
It was, however, a surprise to see DC not using Axar Patel’s bowling services.

(With agency inputs)