‘I grew up playing CSK’: Sai Sudharsan shares Chennai connection ahead of Ahmedabad clash

Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will clash in their final league clash of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Ahead of the much-anticipated encounter, Gujarat Titans star opener Sai Sudharsan opened up about his deep emotional bond with CSK, the franchise he grew up idolising.Sai Sudharsan once again enjoyed a phenomenal IPL campaign and continued his rise as one of the league’s most consistent batsmen. After winning the IPL 2025 Orange Cap with a staggering 759 runs, the 24-year-old has carried his form into IPL 2026 and remains firmly in the race for another dominant season. Despite a relatively quiet start to the campaign, Sudharsan rediscovered the top gear and crossed the 500-run mark for the second consecutive season. The stylish left-hander has scored 554 runs in 13 matches so far and is currently fourth in the Orange Cap standings heading into the final match of the GT League.Ahead of the CSK clash, Sudharsan reflected on one of the most memorable innings of his IPL career, his maiden IPL century against Chennai Super Kings in 2024 in Ahmedabad. Speaking on JioStar about his maiden IPL hundred against CSK, Sudharsan admitted that the innings held extra emotional significance because of his childhood association with the Chennai-based franchise.“It wasn’t a conscious decision; I think it was the grace of God and it came at the right time. But it’s always special to spend time in the middle, especially when I’m playing against CSK, because whatever is said and done, there’s a deep emotional connection with CSK for me,” Sudharsan said.“I grew up watching CSK play. We used to stand on the road just to watch the team bus pass by our school. It’s fantastic memories. I’m thankful to God that I got some memorable performances against CSK,” he added.Sai Sudharsan smashed a breathtaking 103 off just 51 deliveries and put on a record 210-run opening partnership with skipper Shubman Gill, who also scored 104 off 55 balls. The stand equaled the record for the highest opening partnership in IPL history previously held by KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in 2022.