Sai Sudharsan makes history, joins Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle in the elite IPL club

ByTech Word News

Sai Sudharsan (Pic Credit: IPL) NEW DELHI: Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan continued his dream IPL run on Friday and joined the elite club along with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle during another brilliant knock in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.The stylish left-hander scored 58 off just 32 balls and in the process completed his ninth 50+ score in IPL 2026 – joint second highest in a single season in the history of the tournament.More importantly, Sudharsan crossed the 700-run mark for the second consecutive IPL season and became only the third batsman after Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle to score 700-plus campaigns in the tournament.The remarkable feat further cemented Sudharsan’s rise as one of the most consistent and dominant batsmen in T20 cricket.

Sudharsan joins Kohli and Gayle in elite company

Sudharsan enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, but 2026 took him to a whole other level.With two consecutive seasons of over 700 runs, he joined an exclusive list that featured only IPL greats Kohli and Gayle. Gayle achieved this in 2012 and 2013, while Kohli did it in 2016 and again in 2024.700-plus runs in two different editions of the IPL

  • Chris Gayle in 2012 and 2013
  • Virat Kohli in 2016 and 2024
  • Sai Sudharsan in 2025 and 2026

The GT opener also equaled David Warner’s tally of nine more than 50 in an IPL season. Only Kohli remains ahead of him with 11 such scores during his legendary 2016 campaign.Ironically, Sudharsan’s innings ended again in a bizarre fashion as he was dismissed at the wicket for the second match in a row.Attempting to cut a low full toss behind square, Sudharsan lost control of his bat as it hit the stumps after the shot had run for four. The unusual dismissal stunned the crowd as well as his batting partner Shubman Gill.Most points above 50 v edition of the IPL

  • 11 – Virat Kohli in 2016
  • 9 – David Warner in 2016
  • 9 – David Warner in 2019
  • 9 – Sai Sudharsan in 2026

The Gill-Sudharsan partnership is rewriting T20 history

Before Sudharsan’s release, he and Gill had already broken several records with another monumental opening stand.The duo combined for their 11th century partnership in T20 cricket – the most by any pair in the format’s history. They surpassed legendary combinations like Chris Gayle-Virat Kohli, Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan and AB de Villiers-Virat Kohli.Gill and Sudharsan reached the milestone in just 48 innings, significantly faster than any other pair on the list.The partnership itself was historic in IPL playoff history as well. Their stand of 167 runs became the highest partnership ever recorded in the IPL playoffs, surpassing the previous record held by Chennai Super Kings duo Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay from the 2011 final.Highest partnership in IPL play-offs (any wicket)

  • 167 – Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan (GT) vs RR, Mullanpur, Q2 2026
  • 159 – Michael Hussey & Murali Vijay (CSK) Vs. RCB Chennai 2011 Final
  • 140* – Michael Hussey *& Suresh Raina (CSK) Vs. MI, Delhi, Q2 2013
  • 138 – Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan (GT) vs MI, Ahmedabad 2nd Quarter 2023
  • 136 – Manvinder Bisla & Jacques Kallis (KKR) vs CSK, Chennai, Final 2012

The GT openers also now share an eight-century mark for the opening wicket in T20 cricket, equaling the record held by Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.As Gujarat Titans continue their quest for another IPL finals appearance, Sudharsan and Gill have emerged as the heart of the team this season.