CSK vs GT: Sai Sudharsan hits 96, highest score by uncapped player in IPL final

21-year-old Sai Sudharsan played the innings of his nascent career as he notched up the highest score by an uncapped player in the final in the history of the Indian Premier League. Sai Sudharsan hit 96 off just 47 balls as he accelerated after a slow start in the IPL 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Sai Sudharsan was 8 of 10 as he looked like struggling for timing on a good batting pitch but he raced through the second half of his knock. After walking into bat following the departure of the big fish Shubman Gill for 39.

Sai Sudharsan hit 6 sixes and 4 boundaries as he finished with 96 off just 47 balls. The left-handed batter from Chennai had the opportunity to become the first uncapped player to hit a century in an IPL final as he began the last over of the Gujarat Titans innings on 84.

Sai hit Chennai Super Kings' death-overs specialist Matheesha Pathirana for 2 sixes in the first two deliveries of the final over but was undone



by a slower ball. Sai took the review but the on-field decision of out was not overturned as the ball crashed into the middle stump, according to the ball-tracking system.

Sai Sudharsan walked off to a roaring reception from the Ahmedabad crowd as he got applause from his teammates, including captain Hardik Pandya and coach Ashish Nehra.

Sai Sudharsan's 96 is the highest score by an uncapped player in the IPL finals as he broke Manish Pandey's record of 94 for Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings in IPL 2014 final.

Sai Sudharsan stitched a 64-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Wriddhiman Saha before he added 91 runs for the 3rd wicket with his captain Hardik Pandya.

Sai Sudharsan's acceleration peaked when he hit 19 runs in the 17th over bowled by Tushar Deshpande, who leaked 56 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket.

Sai Sudharsan's blitz helped Gujarat Titans post 314 for 4, the highest total ever in an IPL final.