From a mere batter to India’s grin, Suryakumar Yadav - the new Mr. 360
Suryakumar Yadav (PC: Twitter)
In recent times Surya Kumar Yadav has been one of the most impactful performers for India. After two years of some good performances in the domestic arena, Surya was given a contract by the IPL team Mumbai Indians in 2012.
In his debut season for the Mumbai Indians he got to play only one match and was dismissed without scoring any runs. From then on, he has worked on his game and has evolved into an impactful T20 player.
Surya got his maiden national call up in 2021. It was a reward for his continuous impressive and impactful batting shows in the IPL. He has also donned the Indian blues in the ODI format. But so far, in the international arena Surya has left more of an impact in the shortest format of the game.
On his birthday let us take a look at the top five most impactful batting performances by him in T20Is.
5. 57 (31) vs England, 18th March 2021
Suryakumar Yadav's first ball six against Jofra Archer (PC: Twitter)
It was the debut international inning for Surya. In Ahmedabad he came to bat at number 3 when India’s score was 21 for the loss of 1 wicket.
Surya displayed his supreme self confidence as he hit a six of the first ball of his career against Jofra Archer. In the innings he went on to score 57 runs off 31 balls at a strike rate of 183.87. His knock helped India reach a total of 185 runs in their 20 overs. Surya scored 30.81% of the team's runs.
India won the match as they restricted England to 177 runs in 20 overs in the second innings.
4. 65 (31) vs West Indies, 20th February 2022
Suryakumar Yadav in action against West Indies (PC: Twitter)
In this match at Eden Gardens, India batted first. Suryakumar was sent in to bat at number 5 when India was stationed at 66 for 3.
Coming in to bat in the middle order, SKY pulled out all his tricks as he made 65 runs off just 31 balls. He scored 35.33% of the team’s runs at a rate of 209.68.
India posted a total of 184 runs in their 20 overs and won the match by 17 runs.
3. 62 (40) vs New Zealand, 17th November 2021
Suryakumar Yadav's sensational effort against New Zealand (PC: Twitter)
India was chasing a total of 165 runs in this match at Jaipur. The openers set up a platform with a 50 runs partnership when ‘SKY’ came into bat.
He strengthened India’s position in the match as he played a flamboyant knock of 62 runs from 40 balls. His strike rate was 155 in the innings. India won the match by 5 wickets as Suryakumar scored 37.35% of the team’s runs.
2. 76(44) vs West Indies, 2nd August 2022
Suryakumar displaying his range against West Indies (PC: Twitter)
India was tasked with chasing a total of 165 runs in this match at Basseterre, St. Kitts. Opening the innings for India, Surykumar played a knock of 76 runs from 44 balls.
While scoring 46.06% of the team’s runs, he helped India win the match by 7 wickets with one over to spare.
1. 117(55) vs England, 10th July 2022
Suryakumar after his maiden T20I century
In this match at Nottingham, India was chasing a steep target of 216 runs. Suryakumar walked into bat when his team was struggling at 13 for 2.
From that stage, Suryakumar Yadav played a brilliant knock of 117 runs off 55 balls. He was the lone show for India in the match as wickets kept falling around him. India ultimately lost the match by 17 runs.
But the fact that Surya scored 59.09% of the team’s runs in the innings makes it his most impactful knock in his T20I career.
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
