Sai Sudharsan is an Indian top-order batter from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Born on 15 October 2001, he is 25 years old on 15 October 2026. The left-hander plays for India, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans, and is known for a composed technique that can expand into aggressive scoring.
Sai Sudharsan at a glance
- Full name
- Bhardwaj Sai Sudharsan
- Date of birth
- 15 October 2001
- Age on 15 October 2026
- 25
- Birthplace
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Role
- Top-order batter
- Batting style
- Left-hand bat
- Bowling style
- Leg-break
- IPL team in 2026
- Gujarat Titans
- Domestic team
- Tamil Nadu
- International team
- India
Profile checked 15 October 2026. Team and record details are dated in the article.
Early cricket and domestic pathway
Sudharsan emerged through Tamil Nadu’s age-group and league system. He played for India A in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy in 2019–20, then made the Tamil Nadu Premier League a major part of his rise. He was the league’s second-highest scorer in 2021, a season that moved him quickly into senior domestic cricket.
His senior T20 debut for Tamil Nadu came against Maharashtra on 4 November 2021. He made his List A debut against Mumbai on 8 December 2021. In the following season he produced 610 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including three hundreds and a 416-run opening stand with N Jagadeesan. He also joined Gujarat Titans for their first IPL season in 2022.
Sudharsan made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu against Hyderabad from 13 to 16 December 2022. He scored 179 in his first innings and followed it with 42. The performance showed that his game was not limited to short-form cricket. He also played county cricket for Surrey in 2023, gaining experience in English conditions.
India career and major milestones
Sudharsan made his ODI debut for India against South Africa at Johannesburg on 17 December 2023. He scored an unbeaten 55 from 43 balls on debut. He made 62 in the next match at Gqeberha, giving him an immediate contribution at the top of the order.
His T20I debut came against Zimbabwe at Harare on 7 July 2024. He did not bat in that match. His Test debut followed against England at Leeds from 20 to 24 June 2025. He later made his maiden Test fifty at Old Trafford in Manchester, scoring 61 from 151 balls on 23 July 2025. The innings was notable for its patience and its seven fours.
At the reference date, Sudharsan had played for India across Test, ODI and T20I cricket. The public record also lists him in India’s 2025 Test campaign.
IPL journey with Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans selected Sudharsan for ₹20 lakh at the 2022 mega auction. He made his IPL debut that season and scored 145 runs in five matches. In 2023, an injury to Kane Williamson opened a larger role. Sudharsan responded with 362 runs in eight matches and three fifties.
His defining early IPL moment came in the 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings. He scored 96 from 47 balls, with eight fours and six sixes, in a high-pressure innings that remains one of the competition’s notable final performances.
Sudharsan became Gujarat’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2024 with 527 runs. He also scored his first IPL hundred, 103 against Chennai Super Kings, and became the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 IPL runs according to his career profile.
Gujarat Titans retained him for ₹8.5 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. The retention reflected his role as a long-term top-order player. In IPL 2025 he won the Orange Cap after scoring 759 runs at a strike rate of 156.17. Gujarat’s official player profile lists him in the Titans’ 2026 setup.
Career timeline
- 15 October 2001: Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- 2019–20: Played for India A in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy pathway.
- 4 November 2021: Made his senior T20 debut for Tamil Nadu.
- 8 December 2021: Made his List A debut for Tamil Nadu.
- 2022: Scored 610 Vijay Hazare Trophy runs and joined Gujarat Titans for ₹20 lakh.
- 13 December 2022: Made his first-class debut and scored 179 against Hyderabad.
- 29 May 2023: Made 96 from 47 balls in the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings.
- 17 December 2023: Made his ODI debut for India and scored 55 not out against South Africa.
- 7 July 2024: Made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe.
- 20 June 2025: Made his Test debut against England at Leeds.
- 23 July 2025: Scored his maiden Test fifty, 61, at Old Trafford.
- 2025 IPL season: Won the Orange Cap with 759 runs for Gujarat Titans.
- 15 October 2026: Aged 25 and listed with Gujarat Titans for the 2026 season.
Playing style
Sudharsan is a left-hand top-order batter. His high-elbowed drives, control against pace and willingness to use the slog sweep give him options in both longer and shorter formats. His domestic record shows a player who can build an innings, while his 96 in the 2023 IPL final and 759-run 2025 season show how quickly he can increase the scoring rate once set.
His Test fifty at Manchester also illustrates a different part of his game. He faced 151 balls for 61, absorbing pressure and valuing time at the crease. He is listed as a leg-break bowler, but his established professional role is batting rather than frontline bowling.
FAQs
How old is Sai Sudharsan in 2026?
Sai Sudharsan is 25 years old on 15 October 2026. He was born on 15 October 2001.
Which IPL team does Sai Sudharsan play for?
He plays for Gujarat Titans. The franchise’s 2026 player profile lists him in the Titans setup.
What is Sai Sudharsan‘s role?
He is a top-order batter who bats left-handed. His profile lists leg-break bowling, although batting is his primary professional skill.
When did Sai Sudharsan make his India debut?
His ODI debut came against South Africa on 17 December 2023. He made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe on 7 July 2024 and his Test debut against England on 20 June 2025.
What was Sai Sudharsan‘s most famous early IPL innings?
He scored 96 from 47 balls for Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings.
What did Sai Sudharsan achieve in IPL 2025?
He won the Orange Cap after scoring 759 runs for Gujarat Titans at a strike rate of 156.17.
