“Sai Becomes First Batter in IPL History to Be Out Hit-Wicket Twice in a Single Season”

In a surprising turn of events during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 match between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, Sai Sudharsan experienced an unusual hit-wicket dismissal. While batting at a score of 58 runs, Sudharsans bat slipped from his grasp and unintentionally struck the stumps as he attempted a shot off bowler Brijesh Sharma.

This dismissal marks Sudharsan’s second consecutive instance of being out in this manner and the third hit-wicket dismissal in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With this incident, he joins the ranks of renowned players including Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik, who also have three hit-wicket dismissals in men’s T20 cricket—a record that reflects the rarity of such a mode of dismissal.

Hit-wicket dismissals, while infrequent, highlight the fine line players must navigate while batting, and this incident emphasizes the importance of bat control in high-pressure situations. Throughout the IPL, there have been discussions regarding players mental and physical readiness as the tournament progresses, especially in critical matches like the qualifiers.