‘T20 Cricket Evolves Fast’: Sudharsan Calls Early IPL 2026 Slump a ‘Learning Phase’, Not a Lean Patch

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan isn’t dwelling on his quiet start to IPL 2026. Instead, the left-hander is treating it as a crucial learning curve that has helped him adapt and improve as the tournament progressed.

Speaking to JioStar, Sudharsan made it clear he doesn’t label his early struggles with the bat as a lean patch. For him, it was about taking lessons, moving forward, and getting better. He stressed that in a high-pressure competition like the IPL, carrying baggage from previous innings can be detrimental.

“I don’t look at it as a lean patch or a phase where I’m not scoring runs. It’s a learning experience for me to move forward, improve, and get better. In an important tournament like this, it’s crucial not to carry the residue of the previous innings. It can eat you up if you enter the game with memories of previous performances lingering in your mind. So, I try to keep things as open as possible,” Sudharsan said.

The GT batter explained his approach to mindset management. If a game goes well, he takes the confidence forward. But if it doesn’t, he consciously resets and keeps his mind fresh for the next outing. According to Sudharsan, that mental clarity is vital in a format that shifts rapidly.

He pointed out that T20 cricket is evolving at a fast pace, and batters must be versatile. Adapting to what the team requires and reading match situations is key. “It’s also important to understand how the game is evolving because T20 cricket changes very quickly. As batters, we have to be versatile enough to adjust to what the team or the situation demands. If we are able to execute that, I think that’s the best thing,” he added.

Sudharsan’s season reflects that philosophy. After a string of low scores to begin IPL 2026, he turned things around emphatically with a standout century against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That knock proved to be the catalyst for a strong second half.

The 23-year-old has now crossed 500 runs for the second consecutive IPL season. In 13 matches so far, he has totaled 554 runs, placing him fourth in the Orange Cap race ahead of Gujarat Titans’ last league game.