Mumbai Indians' flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav's splendid batting was on display during the IPL 2024 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, May 6.
Suryakumar walked out to bat when Mumbai Indians were 31/2 after losing Rohit Sharma. The 32-year-old took Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling attack to the cleaners as he unleashed his firepower and sent the crowd into a frenzy with his every hitting.
Suryakumar Yadav pulled out all his shots in his arsenal as he was racing towards the maiden century of the season. At the end of the 17th over, the right-handed batter was on 96. In the 18th over, Tilak Varma took a strike and ran a single so that Suryakumar could score his century before the match winded up.
When Mumbai Indians required six runs off 11 balls to chase 174-run target, Suryakumar Yadav faced a low full toss delivery off T Natarajan and lofted it over deep wicket not only to complete his 2nd century of the tournament but also take the team over the line. The MI's dugout and dressing room stood up to applause SKY's incredible innings while the crowd went berserk.
Suryakumar Yadav played an incredible innings of 102 off 51 balls at a strike rate of 200 and also formed an unbeaten 143-run partnership with Tilak Varma (37* off 32 balls) to take the team past the finishing line.
In the last match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Suryakumar played a valiant innings of 54 off 35 balls, but went in vain as Mumbai Indians were bundled out for 145 while chasing the target of 170.
'Need of the hour for me to win': Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav said that it was crucial for him to step up and win for the team. He added that he played all the shots in his arsenal when the ball stopped seaming.
"I feel it was the need of the hour for me. I went out to bat, needed someone to bat till the end. I just enjoyed my time. It's from the Mumbai school of arts, have played a lot of cricket at Wankhede." the right-handed batter.
"When the ball stopped seaming, I played all my shots that I practice in the nets. I feel the intent would have been the same, I would have definitely played in the same pattern." he added.
Suryakumar Yadav has amassed 334 runs, including a century and three fifties, at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 176.72 in nine matches.
