Sai Sudharsan shatters Chris Gayle's record to achieve special milestone in RCB vs GT IPL 2026 clash; check details

Sai Sudharsan's milestone arrives at a key stage of the tournament where every run and every win counts. For RCB, it added pressure as they try to contain GT’s batting line-up.

Aachal Maniyar
Published24 Apr 2026, 08:33 PM IST
Gujarat Titans' Indian cricket player Sai Sudharsan (R) watches the ball after playing a shot during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
Gujarat Titans' Indian cricket player Sai Sudharsan (R) watches the ball after playing a shot during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru (AFP)

In a thrilling showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Sai Sudharsan delivered a performance that will be talked about for years. The young left-handed batsman smashed his way to a special milestone, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 2000 runs in IPL history. He did it in just 47 innings, pipping West Indies great Chris Gayle who held the previous record.

Fewest Innings to 2000 IPL runs

47 - Sai Sudharsan*

48 - Chris Gayle

52 - Shaun Marsh

57 - Ruturaj Gaikwad

60 - KL Rahul

Also Read | Jacob Bethell replaces injured Phil Salt in RCB playing XI vs GT IPL 2026

The moment came during the RCB vs GT clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Sai Sudharsan, known for his calm approach and clean striking, crossed the 2000-run mark with a typical, measured innings. His form this season has been a big reason why the Gujarat Titans remain strong contenders. At just 23, the Tamil Nadu batter has shown maturity far beyond his years, blending solid defence with attacking shots against both pace and spin.

This record highlighted how quickly the modern-day batter has climbed the ladder. Chris Gayle’s mark had lasted for over a decade, making Sai Sudharsan’s feat truly special in the high-scoring IPL format.

Sai Sudharsan joins elite list

Beyond the innings record, Sai Sudharsan has also proved he is among the most efficient Indian batsmen. He ranks among the fewest balls taken to score 2000 IPL runs by Indian players, showing his ability to score at a healthy rate without throwing away his wicket.

Fewest balls taken for 2000 IPL runs (Indians)

1193 - Abhishek Sharma

1211 - Virender Sehwag

1306 - Rishabh Pant

1326 - Yashasvi Jaiswal

1353 - Yusuf Pathan

1361 - Sai Sudharsan*

Also Read | IPL 2026: Netizens laud Sai Sudharsan's ‘classy’ century in RCB vs GT match

While he sits sixth among Indians on this list, combining it with the fewest-innings record paints a picture of a complete, consistent performer. Sudharsan does not rely on big cameos; instead, he builds innings that win matches for his team.

The Gujarat Titans star has been a standout since his IPL debut. His elegant strokeplay and ability to anchor the middle order have made him a fan favourite. In IPL 2026, he has been in red-hot form, helping GT stay in the playoff race despite a competitive season. Reaching 2000 runs this fast highlights his hard work, fitness, and smart shot selection.

About the Author

Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.

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