during conversation with News18 Cricket Next In December 2022, Sai Sudarshan’s eyes lit up at the mention of Kane Williamson. Gujarat Titans had roped in the New Zealand batsman in the mini-auction and Sai was desperate to get hold of the veteran right-handed batsman.
“I’m so excited to meet him. I think after the game ( IPL against SRH), I was talking to him for, like, half an hour. It was really cool. I look forward to meeting him and sharing the dressing room and ideas with him. The mindset, how he approaches the game, everything. He is one of the legends of the game,” Sudarshan had said on a chilly morning in New Delhi.
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The youngster finally got a chance to spend time with the star right-hander when Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 The campaign got underway but an injury sustained while fielding in the first match of the tournament ended Williamson’s stint in the IPL. Sudarshan replaced the player he idolises at the No.3 position for that fixture against Chennai Super Kings and soon became an ideal choice with his match-winning half-century against Delhi Capitals in testing conditions.
The stylish left-hander scored 22 and 62* in GT’s first two matches of the campaign and made an instant impact with his tough approach at the top of the order. The time spent with Williamson will be cherished by Sudarshan and he promises to stay in touch with the right-handed batsman.
“The way he practised. I saw his two practice sessions and the way he approached even the practice sessions – the things he was doing. I had the opportunity to share my thoughts with him and share his thoughts with him. Had a few minutes to take and will definitely be in touch with him,” Sudarshan said in an open media interaction.
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Sudarshan is coming off a good domestic season for Tamil Nadu where he achieved success in the Ranji Trophy and triumph
Hazare Trophy from the state. Full of confidence, the left-handed batsman has no personal goals and just wants to do well for the team and retain the title they won last year.
“Not like personal goals. We want to win and retain the title that we won last year. I don’t have any personal goals, of course I want to use the opportunity and do well for the team. This is more than the team’s target,” said Sudarshan.
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good preparation
Sudarshan, who has opened the innings for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit, has prepared well for the season and believes that the domestic season has given him a lot of confidence. The GT camp and training sessions ahead of IPL 2023 helped him break into T20 and now he is ready to do well for the team.
“It really started last year of IPL. The confidence we got after winning the IPL and that helped me a lot in getting better, even preparing for the domestic season. I think the domestic season has given me a lot of confidence coming into the IPL and the camps before the season have helped me a lot,” said Sudarshan.
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With a strike-rate of just over 120 in the shortest format, Sudarshan is not a slam-bang batsman but has a tight game and can play a variety of shots at spinners. The youngster is not particularly looking to improve his strike-rate and is focusing more on winning various match situations. Just like how he accepted the challenge against players like Anrich Nortje and Khaleel Ahmed in the last game against Delhi Capitals.
“I am not particularly looking at that. I am looking to play according to the situation and win the situation. If the situation arises, I will also stand up for the situation,” Sudarshan said.
In his second IPL year, Sudarshan got his first taste of home-and-away this season when the IPL returned to normalcy.
The 21-year-old is enjoying the challenge of playing in different conditions and is loving the support of the fans in Ahmedabad.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me to adapt and play in different conditions. And I think adaptability is more important when you play home and away. The fans here in Ahmedabad are very supportive Really happy to be playing in front of him,” said Sudarshan.
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