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

An Unwanted Record for the GT Opener

In the high-stakes environment of the IPL playoffs, precision is everything. Yet, for Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan, the last two matches have been defined by a bizarre and recurring technical issue that has seen him walk back to the pavilion in the most unconventional way possible: hit wicket. While a single hit-wicket dismissal can often be chalked up to bad luck, experiencing it twice in consecutive games is a statistical anomaly that few, if any, players in the history of the format have had to confront.

Despite the frustration of the moment, Sudharsan has managed to maintain a sense of humor about the situation. Following the Gujarat Titans’ crucial victory over the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, which booked their ticket to the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challenger Bengaluru, the young batter opened up about his freakish dismissals. He jokingly suggested that he might need to invest in some ‘grip tech’ to ensure his bat stays firmly in his hands during his follow-through.

The Anatomy of the Freak Dismissals

The first incident occurred during the tense battle of Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Looking in fluent form, Sudharsan was set to make a massive impact before his bat slipped from his grip while attempting a cut shot against Jacob Duffy. The bat ricocheted off the pitch and careened into his own stumps before the ball even reached the boundary ropes. It was a moment of pure disbelief for everyone at the stadium.

As if fate had a cruel sense of humor, the sequence repeated itself in Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals. During a commanding chase of 215, Sudharsan was in sublime touch, having raced to 58 runs off just 32 balls. While driving a low full toss from Brijesh Sharma, his bat once again escaped his grasp, crashing into the stumps as he finished his stroke. His partner, Shubman Gill, was visibly stunned, dropping to his knees in pure shock at the sight.

Joining a Rare List

With these two consecutive departures, Sudharsan has now been dismissed hit wicket three times in his T20 career, including a previous instance against the Mumbai Indians back in 2022. By reaching this tally, he enters the company of veteran T20 campaigners like Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik, who are among the very few to have been dismissed in this fashion on three separate occasions.

Gill, who has been the anchor at the other end, admitted that he has never witnessed anything quite like this. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,’ Gill noted after the match. ‘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.’

The Partnership That Defines GT

While the hit-wicket saga has dominated the headlines, the partnership between Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan remains the backbone of the Gujarat Titans’ campaign. Their synergy has been the standout feature of IPL 2026, with the duo accumulating four century partnerships throughout the season. Both players have now surpassed the 700-run milestone, proving their individual and collective dominance.

‘Honestly, I think we complement each other very well,’ Gill explained when asked about the secret behind their successful opening stands. ‘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 of batting alongside a talent like Gill has been instrumental in his growth. He acknowledges that his role has evolved significantly since his debut, and he continues to refine his game to meet the pressures of modern T20 cricket. As the Titans prepare for the final, fans will surely be watching his grip with as much intensity as they watch his strokes, hoping that his bat remains where it belongs—in his hands.