Following a blockbuster IPL 2026 campaign, young Indian batting sensation Sai Sudharsan has been making headlines not just for his run-scoring appetite, but for his candid revelations off the field. The 24-year-old left-hander has grown into one of the most dependable top-order batters in the country, translating his blistering domestic and franchise form into the international arena. Fresh off a dominant Test victory against Afghanistan, where he compiled a fluent 81 runs, Sudharsan recently opened up about the dynamic personalities shaping his cricketing journey, revealing a surprising mix of fear and respect for his mentors.
Sai Sudharsan names the person he fears the most following IPL 2026
Despite his calm demeanor at the crease, Sudharsan admitted that certain figures in the dressing room can still send a shiver down his spine. Speaking on the Gobinath YouTube channel, the Chennai-born batter was asked who intimidates him the most in a team environment. Without hesitation, he named Gujarat Titans (GT) head coach Ashish Nehra.
“Ashish Nehra. He has an amazing cricketing mind. But sometimes he scares me. He is the most fun person also, yet, is like a father to all the players,” Sudharsan confessed with a smile.
Nehra, renowned for his animated boundary-line consultations and intense tactical approach, has been instrumental in GT’s roaring success. Under his guidance, the franchise won the title in 2022 and reached the finals in both 2023 and 2026. Sudharsan has been the primary beneficiary of Nehra’s high-octane coaching, crossing the 700-run milestone in each of his last two IPL seasons. While Nehra’s passionate outbursts can be daunting, the young batter emphasizes that it stems from a place of deep mentorship and care, establishing a unique father-figure dynamic within the squad.
Sudharsan acknowledge Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir as the pillars of support and freedom
Beyond the tactical intensity of Nehra, Sudharsan credits his rapid maturity to and India captain Shubman Gill. Reflecting on his early days with the franchise, the southpaw recalled how Gill acted as a foundational anchor when he faced the frustration of being benched due to tactical combinations.
“He was the one who I looked at as a role model when I first came to GT. In my second year, even when I would be doing well, I would be dropped because of the team combination. He would always come and talk to me and point out small areas I can improve at,” Sudharsan shared.
He added that having a peer-turned-captain whom he can message anytime is a “blessing,” especially as they now share the dressing room for Team India.
This nurturing environment extends to the national team under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Sudharsan lauded Gambhir for instilling a culture of absolute psychological safety, which was on full display during India’s recent innings and 300-run victory over Afghanistan at New Chandigarh. According to Sudharsan, Gambhir’s coaching philosophy eliminates the fear of failure, allowing players to prioritize collective victory over personal milestones.
“The most important thing for a player in a team is having freedom to express. He’s a person who says do whatever you want and I’ll back you. He is creating an environment where players are more expressive. He is a really good person, who backs the players a lot,” Sudharsan noted. With the backing of Nehra, Gill, and Gambhir, Sudharsan looks poised to anchor India’s top order for years to come.
