Despite having emerged as a format tailormade for batters, T20 cricket is a challenging format for the willow-wielders to be consistent in run-scoring at a healthy strike rate. Suryakumar Yadav – just like his 360-degree batting – has proven to be an exception.
The India T20I captain on Wednesday continued his silken touch with the willow, displayed his game awareness in abundance, to help Mumbai Indians seal a Playoffs berth with a Player of the Match-winning performance against Delhi Capitals.
Suryakumar had last week overtaken Robin Uthappa’s record of 10 consecutive 25-plus scores in the Indian Premier League – the most by a batter. On Wednesday, on a sticky Wankhede Stadium pitch, Suryakumar equalled Temba Bavuma’s record of 13 25-plus scores in all T20s.
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But even after creating the record, Suryakumar knew his job was far from being done. At the end of 18 overs, he was batting on 45 off 35 balls and the scoreboard read 132 for five. That’s when he was constantly in Naman Dhir’s ears – as the latter admitted in the media briefing – “play proper cricketing shots”.
Suryakumar himself practised what he preached to take the game out of Delhi Capitals’ bounds in no time. While the duo added 48 off the last two overs, Suryakumar tonked 28 off eight balls in the last two overs to virtually seal the fate of the game – and the Playoffs race.
“It’s been 13 games now. My wife told me a sweet story today. She said, ‘you have got all the awards except Man of the Match’,” Suryakumar told the host broadcaster after being adjudged the PoTM.
“So this award is really special today. From the team’s point of view, this knock was important. Also this trophy (was important) for her.”
Mumbai Indians will be hoping that the Suryakumar juggernaut will roll on for four more games.