New Delhi: Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive rise in the IPL to write the record books once again – this time surpassing Chris Gayle as the highest run-scorer after 50 matches in the tournament’s history.The 24-year-old scored a 41-ball 57 during GT’s last-over win over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the process, Sudharsan scored 2178 runs in his first 50 IPL innings, surpassing Gayle’s long-standing record of 2061 runs. This record stood for 13 years, when Sudharsan was only 11 years old.Mitchell Marsh is third on the elite list with 1933 runs after 50 innings, which underlines the extent of Sudharsan’s success in a league known for its fierce competition.Fastest until 2000 – Another Gale record fell before this.This is not the first time Sudharsan has outplayed Gayle this season. More recently, the elegant left-hander became the fastest batsman in IPL history to reach 2000 runs, achieving the milestone in just 47 innings – one less than Gayle’s 48 runs. Marsh is far behind at 52 innings.Sudharsan’s record-breaking streak began earlier in the season when he scored a brilliant 58-ball 100 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, demonstrating both his consistency and ability to dominate attacks in situations.Despite a slow start to IPL 2026 – with just one fifty in his first six outings – Sudharsan bounced back strongly, registering three fifty-plus scores in his last four innings, including that match-defining century.His overall numbers are remarkable: 2178 runs at an average of 47.34 in 50 innings and a strike rate of 148, all since his debut in 2022 for the Gujarat Titans.While Sudharsan anchored the chase against Punjab Kings, GT’s bowlers laid the foundations. Jason Holder took four wickets while Mohammad Siraj and Kagiso Rabada took two wickets each.Punjab Kings, saved by a battling half-century from Suryanesh Shedge, posted 163/9 – but Gujarat Titans chased it down off the last ball to seal a thrilling victory, with Sudharsan once again at the heart of the story.
