‘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 Phenomenon
A Freak Occurrence in the IPL Playoffs
Getting out hit-wicket is widely considered one of the most unfortunate ways for a batter to end an innings. To experience it once is a rarity, but to be dismissed in such a fashion in two consecutive high-stakes matches is nothing short of bizarre. Gujarat Titans (GT) opener B Sai Sudharsan has found himself at the center of this strange phenomenon, entering the record books for all the wrong reasons as his team pushes for the IPL 2026 title.
Despite the frustration, Sudharsan managed to maintain a lighthearted perspective following his team’s victory against the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. The win has propelled the Gujarat Titans into a highly anticipated final showdown against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The Anatomy of the Dismissals
The sequence of events began during Qualifier 1 against RCB. While looking fluent at the crease, Sudharsan attempted a cut shot against Jacob Duffy. In a freak accident, the bat slipped from his hands during the swing, ricocheting onto his leg stump before the ball even had the chance to travel to the boundary. It was a moment of disbelief, but few could have predicted that lightning would strike twice.
The deja vu arrived in Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals. While chasing a daunting target of 215, Sudharsan was in sublime form, racing to 58 off just 32 balls. He was the anchor of a dominant opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill. However, while executing a drive off a low full toss from Brijesh Sharma, his bat flew from his grasp once again, crashing directly into the stumps. As he walked off the field in disbelief, even his batting partner, Gill, was seen dropping to his knees, struggling to process the repetition of the event.
Joining an Unwanted Elite List
With this latest dismissal, Sai Sudharsan has recorded three hit-wicket dismissals in his T20 career. He now shares this statistical quirk with legends of the format, Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik, who are the only other batters to have been dismissed in this manner three times in T20 cricket. Reflecting on the moment, Sudharsan joked, ‘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.’
Finding Humor in the Chaos
Sudharsan has taken the absurdity in stride, even suggesting he might need some technical adjustments to keep his bat secure. ‘I think I should try some things,’ he told broadcasters. ‘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.’
His captain, Shubman Gill, was equally perplexed. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,’ Gill noted. ‘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.’
A Defining Partnership
Despite the bizarre nature of his exits, the partnership between Sudharsan and Gill has been the bedrock of the Gujarat Titans’ success in the 2026 season. Together, they have forged four century-plus stands, with both players crossing the 700-run milestone. Their chemistry on the field has been a talking point throughout the tournament.
‘Honestly, I think we complement each other very well,’ Gill explained. ‘We understand each other’s game very well. And when we are batting out there, our communication is very good. We know one of us has to take down one of the bowlers. And I think we are very good in deciding who’s going to take down what bowler.’
For Sudharsan, the experience has been part of his personal growth. ‘I think it definitely evolved over the years,’ he said regarding his dynamic with Gill. ‘I had great experiences in the first few years with the GT team which gave me some exposure or some experience 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.’ As the Titans head to the final, all eyes will be on whether Sudharsan’s ‘grip tech’ holds up under the pressure of the championship match.
