Kolkata: Gujarat Titans opening batsman Sai Sudharsan has etched his name into cricket history by becoming the fastest player in the world to reach the milestone of 3,000 runs in T20 cricket. The 24-year-old left-hander achieved the historic feat at Eden Gardens in Kolkata during a high-scoring encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Sudharsan reached the landmark in just 78 innings, eclipsing a 13-year-old global record previously held by former Australian international Shaun Marsh, who had accomplished the same milestone in 85 innings.
The historic accomplishment arrived amidst a gritty, courageous performance by the young Indian opener. Early in the massive 248-run chase, Sudharsan was forced to retire hurt after absorbing a painful blow to his left elbow from a sharp delivery by KKR pacer Kartik Tyagi. Displaying immense resolve, the southpaw later returned to the crease in the slog overs to produce a blazing, unbeaten 53 off just 28 deliveries, a knock decorated with six boundaries and three maximums. This half-century marked his fourth consecutive 50-plus score for the Gujarat Titans, establishing a new franchise record for successive fifties in a single season and cementing a spectacular turnaround following a quiet first half of the tournament.
Despite Sudharsan’s record-breaking heroics, the Gujarat Titans fell short by 29 runs against a clinical Kolkata Knight Riders lineup. Opting to field first, the Titans were thoroughly punished by KKR’s batting unit. Following the early departure of captain Ajinkya Rahane for 14, Finn Allen dismantled the bowling attack with a breathtaking 93 off 35 balls, featuring ten towering sixes. Allen combined with youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi for a blistering 95-run partnership. After Allen’s dismissal, Raghuvanshi anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 82 off 44 balls alongside Cameron Green, who smashed a rapid 52 not out off 28 balls, carrying KKR to a formidable total of 247/2. For the Titans, Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore managed to pick up a solitary wicket each.
During the daunting run-chase, Gujarat stayed alive in the contest through a dominant 128-run second-wicket partnership between captain Shubman Gill, who scored a brilliant 85 off 49 balls, and Jos Buttler, who contributed a quickfire 57 off 35 balls. However, KKR’s spin spearhead Sunil Narine turned the tide of the match by claiming 2/29, removing dangerous batsmen at crucial intervals to curtail the required run rate. GT eventually concluded their response at 218/4, allowing KKR to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Narine was justly adjudged the Player of the Match for his decisive spell, though Sudharsan firmly reclaimed the tournament’s Orange Cap, extending his seasonal tally to 554 runs across 13 innings at an impressive average of 46.16. Following the result, Gujarat Titans hold onto second place in the standings with 16 points, while Kolkata Knight Riders sit in seventh place with 11 points.
