Watch- Sai Sudharsan’s Hit Wicket Controversy Takes New Turn, Batter Seen Applyi Spray
Getting dismissed ‘hit wicket’ in any format of professional cricket is an incredibly rare and unfortunate occurrence. However, for Gujarat Titans’ star opener Sai Sudharsan, this rare cricketing tragedy has suddenly transformed into a bizarre and frustrating trend. The prolific young batsman has endured the highly unusual dismissal twice within a single week during the most critical phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season—the playoffs.
As fans and analysts expressed disbelief over these back-to-back mishaps, a newly-surfaced video on social media has shed light on the extra precautions the batsman was taking behind the scenes. In the viral clip, the Gujarat Titans opener is seen taking active steps to prevent his equipment from failing him at the crease.
The Grip Spray Secret Revealed
Following the conclusion of Qualifier 2, where the Gujarat Titans successfully knocked the Rajasthan Royals out of the tournament, cricket enthusiasts spotted an intriguing detail on social media. A previously unseen footage showed Sai Sudharsan meticulously preparing his equipment before heading out to bat.
In the video, Sudharsan is seen applying a special spray directly onto the handle of his bat. Such sprays are commonly used by professional batsmen to enhance their grip, absorb moisture, and minimize the risk of the bat slipping out of their hands during high-intensity shots. This revelation proves that the young batter was acutely aware of his grip issues and was actively trying to combat the problem before taking the field against the Royals. Unfortunately for Sudharsan, even this chemical intervention could not alter his fate in the playoff matches.
Disaster in Dharamsala: Qualifier 1 vs RCB
The first of Sudharsan’s unusual dismissals occurred on May 26 during Qualifier 1 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Chasing a massive target of 255 runs, the Gujarat Titans needed a flying start. However, disaster struck in the very third over of their innings.
Sudharsan executed a beautifully timed shot that raced away to the boundary. But as he completed his swing, the bat slipped completely out of his grasp. The bat bounced once on the pitch before spinning backward and crashing directly into the stumps. Despite scoring runs off the delivery, the opener was forced to walk back to the pavilion in disbelief, leaving his team in a challenging position early in the chase.
The Nightmare Repeats in New Chandigarh: Qualifier 2 vs RR
Just a couple of days after the Dharamsala incident, Sai Sudharsan found himself in an identical nightmare during Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals in New Chandigarh. This time, the batsman looked in sublime touch, anchoring the Titans’ chase with a magnificent knock of 58 runs off just 32 deliveries.
During the 13th over of the innings, Sudharsan faced a low full-toss from bowler Brijesh Sharma. He struck the ball beautifully for a cracking boundary. However, in a shocking moment of deja vu, the bat once again flew completely out of his hands. The airborne bat travelled backward and landed squarely onto the stumps, dislodging the bails. The dismissal ended his crucial 58-run partnership and left the Titans at 167 for 1 after 12.5 overs.
A Historic and Unwanted IPL Record
With these consecutive dismissals, Sai Sudharsan has etched his name into the IPL history books for all the wrong reasons. He has officially become the first cricketer in the history of the Indian Premier League to be dismissed ‘hit wicket’ three times over the course of his career. Furthermore, he is the first player ever to suffer this bizarre fate twice within a single IPL season, let alone in back-to-back playoff matches.
Gujarat Titans Set Up Final Showdown with RCB
Despite the distraction of Sudharsan’s hit-wicket misfortunes, the Gujarat Titans showcased their championship credentials in Qualifier 2. The Titans absolutely pulverized the Rajasthan Royals, chasing down a formidable target of 214 runs with seven wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.
The chase was masterfully spearheaded by captain Shubman Gill, who played a breathtaking knock of 104 runs from just 53 deliveries, making the steep target look incredibly easy in New Chandigarh. With this emphatic victory, the Gujarat Titans have secured their spot in the grand finale, where they will face the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The highly anticipated final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 31, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The thrilling conclusion of IPL 2026 will commence at 7:30 PM IST, with Sudharsan undoubtedly looking to keep a firm grip on his bat and avoid a third consecutive mishap on the biggest stage of all.
