Gujarat Titans (GT) young sensation Sai Sudharsan recently turned back the clock during a fascinating conversation with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel. The left-handed opener was tasked with a unique challenge: constructing an IPL Playing XI consisting entirely of cricketers from the pre-T20 era. Following the IPL’s roster rules, Sudharsan had to pick seven Indians and four overseas players, while also naming a substitute. His final team is a formidable blend of vintage aggression and unrivaled bowling pace.

Kapil Dev to captain, Donald Bradman at 4: Sai Sudharsan unveils pre-t20 era IPL dream XI

Sudharsan’s selection featured a ‘who’s who’ of cricketing royalty, led by the greatest of them all, Don Bradman, and captained by India’s first World Cup-winning hero.

• The Top Order: He opted for a ‘dash and stability’ opening pair of Kris Srikkanth and Navjot Singh Sidhu, followed by the legendary Farokh Engineer behind the stumps at number three. The legendary Sir Don Bradman was slotted in at number four to anchor the middle order.
• The Powerhouse All-Rounders: The engine room of the team features a mix of tactical brilliance and raw power, including former India coach Ravi Shastri, South African ‘finisher’ Lance Klusener and Kapil Dev, who was also named the Captain of the side.
• The Bowling Battery: The attack is terrifyingly fast and skillful, featuring the ‘Swing King’ Wasim Akram, the lethal Jeff Thomson, and the accuracy of Venkatesh Prasad, rounded off by the magical spin of Bishan Singh Bedi.

Sai Sudharsan’s pre-T20 IPL XI:

Kris Srikkanth, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Farokh Engineer (WK), Don Bradman, Ravi Shastri, Lance Klusener, Kapil Dev (C), Wasim Akram, Venkatesh Prasad, Bishan Singh Bedi, Jeff Thomson. (Sub: Robin Singh)

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Sudharsan’s fitness update for Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026

While the XI was a fun hypothetical, Sai Sudharsan’s own preparation for the IPL 2026 season has been a mix of brilliance and recovery. Despite a right rib fracture sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the left-hander has officially resumed training.

• Domestic Form: He was in scintillating touch during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 192 runs at a strike rate of 152.38.
• GT Pre-Season Camp: Sudharsan has been spotted back in the nets at the Gujarat Titans camp alongside captain Shubman Gill.
• Expectations: After a solid domestic season, the Titans’ management is banking on him to provide explosive starts at the top of the order as they look to reclaim the IPL title in 2026.

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