‘I’m going to try some grip tech now’ – Sai Sudharsan is hit wicket again – Sai Sudharsan’s Rare Hit-Wicket Streak: A Bizarre IPL 2026 Turn

A Statistical Anomaly on the Biggest Stage

Getting out hit-wicket once is a rarity in professional cricket, a moment usually reserved for sheer misfortune or a lapse in focus. To have it happen twice in consecutive high-stakes playoff matches, however, is nothing short of bizarre. Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan has found himself at the center of this unusual trend, cementing his name in an unwanted record book after recording his third career hit-wicket dismissal in T20 cricket.

Despite the freak nature of his exits, the young batter managed to maintain his composure and humor, particularly following the crucial Qualifier 2 victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR). This win has officially paved the way for the Gujarat Titans to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the grand final of IPL 2026.

The Freak Dismissals: A Dejà Vu Moment

The sequence of events began in Qualifier 1 against RCB. While looking fluent and settled at the crease, Sai Sudharsan saw his bat fly out of his hands during a cross-batted shot against Jacob Duffy. The bat ricocheted off the pitch and struck the leg stump before the ball even had a chance to reach the boundary. It was a moment of disbelief that seemed like an isolated incident.

However, the trend continued in the very next game against RR. While chasing a formidable target of 215, Sai Sudharsan was in sublime touch, racing to 58 runs off just 32 deliveries. While attempting to drive a low full toss from Brijesh Sharma through the off-side, the bat slipped from his grip during his follow-through and crashed directly into his stumps. The sight of his own equipment dismantling his wicket for the second game in a row left him visibly frustrated, while his partner, Shubman Gill, was seen dropping to his knees in pure astonishment.

Humor Amidst the Frustration

Reflecting on the strange occurrences, Sai Sudharsan joked about his future preparation. “I think I should try some things. I’m going to try some grip tech now and just bat a few balls and see how it is. But honestly, I don’t have a lot of answers on how it happened,” he admitted during the post-match interview. He further quipped, “Seriously, last game it just bounced a few times and hit the stumps. But this game, I just wanted it to hit straight away, I think.”

With this latest exit, Sai Sudharsan joins an elite but unfortunate list, becoming only the third batter in T20 history to be dismissed hit-wicket three times, joining the likes of Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik.

The Power of the GT Opening Partnership

While the hit-wicket dismissals provided a surreal subplot, the headline remains the explosive partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. The duo put on a massive 167-run stand against RR, which was instrumental in the Titans successfully chasing down 215. Both players have now surpassed the 700-run mark for the season, a testament to their consistency.

Gill, who has been a pillar of the GT batting unit, confessed that even he struggled to comprehend the sequence of events. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Gill remarked. “Two matches, two in a row, the way he got out. I saw some video on social media that he was taping his hands, I think. I’m going to have to do that in the next match.”

Looking Ahead to the Final

The chemistry between Gill and Sudharsan has been the defining narrative of the Gujarat Titans’ campaign. Their ability to complement each other and rotate the strike has made them a nightmare for opposition bowling attacks. As the team prepares for the final against RCB, Sudharsan remains focused on his growth.

“I think the partnership with Gill has definitely evolved over the years,” Sudharsan noted. “I had great experiences in the first few years with the GT team which gave me some exposure on what I want to improve. This year there are so many points where I can improve so that I’ll work on that and come back.”

With the final looming, fans will be hoping for a more conventional performance from the talented opener, though perhaps with a bit more “grip tech” in his hands to ensure he stays at the crease.