Sai Sudharsan now holds the Orange Cap for most runs in IPL 2025.
Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan was the Player of the Match in his team’s 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 18, 2025 in Delhi. Sai Sudhesan made 108* and added 205* runs with captain Shubman Gill, who made 93*.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals’ charge was led by KL Rahul, who smashed 112* in 65 balls with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Abishek Porel (30) and Axar Patel (25) helped DC post 199/3 in 20 overs, with Tristan Stubbs smacking 21* in 10 balls.
In reply, they were handed a 10-wicket loss as Sudarsan and Shubman smacked DC bowling all over the Arun Jaitley Stadium. With this win, GT also became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Thanks to GT's win, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also qualified for the playoffs.
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Sai Sudarsan had a talk with presenter Ian Bishop and talked about his partnership with Shubman Gill.
“There's a lot of understanding between us (him and Shubman Gill). Running between the wickets is one thing we talk about, and when I make a mistake, he points it out — and similarly from my side as well,” said Sudharsan during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Asked how he aced the chase, Sudharsan said, “It feels great to help the team win. I missed out quite a few times in doing so this season, and during the break, I was thinking about it — and it paid off today.
After the six overs, during overs 7 to 10, they bowled really well, and the momentum dipped a bit. But we were cool and calm enough to take the game deep. We got a couple of big overs around 12–13, which helped. In previous games, I took chances and got out, but this time I was more aware and took the right matchups.”
With 617 runs under his belt, Sudharsan is presently leading the Orange Cap competition. His skipper, Shubman Gill, who has scored 601 runs this season, is right behind him.
Captain Gill was a happy man and also showered praise on his opening partner, who is in red-hot form.
“He has been in tremendous form this season — the way he has been able to convert starts. You see the conditions and the situation — we talk about finishing the game and not leaving it to anyone else, because on a wicket like this, a couple of wickets could create pressure. At the halfway mark, we felt we gave 10–15 runs extra. They batted well, and the ball was spinning,” said Gill of Sudharsan.
GT will next face LSG on May 22 and CSK on May 25, both at home in Ahmedabad.
(ANI inputs)