Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings are set to face off in their final league-stage clash of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Ahead of the much-anticipated encounter, Gujarat Titans star opener Sai Sudharsan opened up about his deep emotional bond with CSK, the franchise he grew up idolising.Sai Sudharsan has once again enjoyed a phenomenal IPL campaign and continued his rise as one of the league’s most consistent batters. After winning the IPL 2025 Orange Cap with a staggering 759 runs, the 24-year-old has carried his form into IPL 2026 and remains firmly in the race for another dominant season. Despite a relatively quiet start to the campaign, Sudharsan has rediscovered top gear and already crossed the 500-run mark for the second successive season. In 13 matches so far, the stylish left-hander has scored 554 runs and currently sits fourth in the Orange Cap standings heading into GT’s final league fixture.Ahead of the CSK clash, Sudharsan reflected on one of the most memorable innings of his IPL career, his maiden IPL century against Chennai Super Kings in 2024 at Ahmedabad. Speaking on JioStar about his maiden IPL hundred against CSK, Sudharsan admitted the innings carried extra emotional significance because of his childhood connection with the Chennai-based franchise.“It wasn’t a conscious decision; I think it was the grace of God, and it came at the right time. But it’s always special to spend time in the middle, especially when I play against CSK because, whatever may be said and done, there’s a deep emotional connection with CSK for me,” Sudharsan said.“I grew up watching CSK play. We used to stand on the road just to watch the team bus pass by our school. Those are fantastic memories. I’m grateful to God that I’ve been able to deliver some memorable performances against CSK,” he added.Sai Sudharsan smashed a breathtaking 103 off just 51 deliveries and stitched together a record-equalling 210-run opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who also scored 104 off 55 balls. The stand matched the record for the highest opening partnership in IPL history, previously set by KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in 2022.