Xtra Time Web Desk: Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharshan made a valuable contribution for his team as he scored his maiden IPL fifty against Punjab Kings on Tuesday night. He remained not out on 64 off 50 balls. He hit five boundaries and a six. It was a brilliant rescue act from the talented cricketer from Tamil Nadu.
The 20-year-old has got starts in all his three previous games and today’s innings was the perfect opportunity for him to make a name for himself. Sai’s innings helped GT reach 143/8 in 20 overs and set a target of 144 for PBKS.
But who exactly is Sai Sudharsan? He hails from a sporting family. His father Bhardwaj R was an international athlete who represented the country in the SAF Games in Dhaka while mother Usha Bhardwaj has represented the state in volleyball
Sudarshan always had an interest in sports since he came from a sporting background. He started playing cricket an early age and made his way into the state U14 side for the South Zone tournament. He was the fourth highest run scorer with four fifties from five matches. In the Vijay Merchant trophy that followed, he averaged 76. A string of good performances saw him get selected for U-19 team.
The 20-year-old left-handed batter was the breakout star of Tamil Nadu Premier League 2021, as he finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 358 runs from eight innings. He had an average of 71.60 and a strike rate of 143.77, helping Lyca Kovai Kings reach the Eliminator.