Shaun Pollock Snubs Virat Kohli to Name Best Batter of IPL 2025

Legendary South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock was recently asked to pick the best batter of the ongoing IPL 2025 season from a set of options. Names like Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, and Nicholas Pooran were presented to Pollock, but he surprised everyone by snubbing all of them and choosing Sai Sudharsan instead.

Since making his IPL debut in 2022, Sudharsan has featured in 33 matches, amassing 1,451 runs at an impressive average of 48.37 and a strike rate of 142.67, including 11 half-centuries and a century.

In the current season, Sai Sudharsan is dominating the Orange Cap race with 417 runs in eight games at a remarkable average of 52.12. In comparison, Virat Kohli has scored 392 runs in nine games at a strike rate of 144.11.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran, who sits third in the race, has amassed 377 runs at an average of 47.12 with an outstanding strike rate of 204.89.

Shaun Pollock Names His Best IPL 2025 Batter

Throughout the 2025 Indian Premier League, Shaun Pollock was presented with a series of head-to-head challenges among top players, starting with Shreyas Iyer versus Yashasvi Jaiswal. Pollock picked Jaiswal over Mitchell Marsh but chose Iyer ahead of Jaiswal.

However, Jaiswal’s reign was short-lived as Pollock selected Nicholas Pooran over him in the next round. Pollock further discussed Pooran’s performances when he was pitted against Rohit Sharma, captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Pollock then moved away from Pooran, choosing Jos Buttler instead. He picked Buttler over stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.

When asked to choose between Buttler and another contender, Shaun Pollock selected the left-handed Sai Sudharsan over Buttler.

Ultimately, when faced with a final choice between Priyansh Aarya and KL Rahul, Shaun Pollock backed Sai Sudharsan, making him his ultimate winner in the challenge.

Here’s the video:

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Sai Sudharsan’s Golden Run in IPL 2025

Sai Sudharsan has been a standout performer for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025. Across eight matches, he has scored 417 runs at a strike rate of 152.18 and an average of 52.13, including five half-centuries.

He kick-started the season with a brilliant 74-run knock off 41 balls against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He further showcased his ability to both anchor and accelerate innings with a season-high 82-run performance against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Thanks to his contributions, the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans currently sit at the top of the points table with six wins from eight matches.

Sai Sudharsan will next be in action when the Titans face the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, April 28.

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