Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a big statement on the batting style of Sai Sudharsan despite the young opener enjoying a dream season with the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2026. Even after Sai Sudharsan’s stunning run with the bat for Gujarat Titans, Ashwin believes the left-handed batter still has one major area where he needs improvement.
Sai Sudharsan has been in sublime form in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. The stylish opener is currently leading the Orange Cap race with 638 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate close to 158. His consistency at the top has played a huge role in Gujarat Titans reaching the playoffs this season.
Ravichandran Ashwin makes bold remark on Sai Sudharsan’s batting style
However, Ravichandran Ashwin feels modern-day T20 cricket now demands dangerous attacks from the top-order batters, and he believes that Sudharsan needs to improve his finishing acceleration to take his game to another level, as he is playing “traditional cricket” presently.
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His suggestion came after Sudharsan’s classy 84 runs from 53 balls that helped GT to beat Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs in Ahmedabad. Ashwin especially noticed how Sudharsan used his feet aggressively against Anshul Kamboj during the powerplay. He played a lofted shot over mid-off, and it showed a slightly different attacking intent from the left-hander.
Ravichandran Ashwin praises Sai Sudharsan’s smart brain
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel: “He (Sai Sudharsan) is not one of your modern-day T20 batters, but the way he used his feet today was good to see. He stepped out and hit Anshul Kamboj’s first ball over mid-off in the powerplay. He doesn’t hit straight that often, but today, he played his first lofted shot there.”
The former off-spinner praised Sudharsan for using his brain brilliantly against bowlers even without relying on raw power and creating pressure in clever ways through placement.
Ashwin further added, “It would have been a catch had the mid-off been straighter, but we should praise him because this guy does something or the other to upset the rhythm of the bowlers. He doesn’t have power; he is not a powerful T20 hitter. He bats conventionally, but by using his brain, by running two, or by playing good shots, he upsets the bowler.”
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Ashwin says Shubman Gill can become even more dangerous in T20s
Meanwhile, the former Indian all-rounder also heaped praise on Shubman Gill for changing his approach in IPL 2026. The GT captain has looked far more aggressive in the powerplay this season and has attacked bowlers right from the start instead of taking extra time to settle.
Ashwin feels Gill’s intent has improved massively compared to previous seasons, but the Gujarat Titans skipper is still far away from reaching his full batting potential.
He signed off by saying, “There is a huge difference in his powerplay intent. The volume of runs has always been there and is in the Orange Cap list, but he’s shown us that he can play with intent. I am still saying that it is 60-70 percent maximum. He has not unlocked his full potential yet. He is a special batter and can do more.”
