Sudharsan has come back better and with more belief

In rollicking form, the TN batter struck a fine ton against DC to take GT into playoffs

- Shantanu Srivastava

NEW DELHI: It's easy, and a bit lazy, to lock an elegant left-hander into boxes of beauty, the kinds engendered by the likes of Gower, Ganguly, and Lara. But that would be unjust on Sai Sudharsan, who exudes every bit of that old-world grace with high-elbow drives but they are also interspersed with innovation. Silken cover drives accompanying slog sweeps, scoops and ramps. Power hits that put no visible strain on his frame, clean striking that is at once jaw-dropping and clinical.

On Sunday, Sudharsan was in his groove again against Delhi Capitals here, the forced break doing little to disturb his rhythm. The pitch was flat and so was DC's bowling, but Sudharsan's early assault in the 200-run chase stunned the hosts into early submission.

He hit four fours and a six off his first nine balls, but when DC managed to string together a few quiet overs, the 23-year-old was mature enough to bide time instead of hitting his way out. The result was a fine unbeaten 108 (61 balls, 12x4, 4x6) that sent Gujarat Titans into the playoffs for the third time in four years.