Suryakumar Yadav (Source: @BCCI/X.com)
Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been incredible in the past, with his dynamic batting performances that have significantly helped India. With the kind of effort he has put into every innings whenever he has batted for India and the range of shots he has displayed, SKY has always been the country's top performer in the 20-over format.
Since his debut in 2021, Surya has led from the front, and as he started his career with a bang, and is currently one of the top performers, not just for India, but in world cricket. Therefore, in this article, we will explore Suryakumar Yadav's best performances in T20I cricket.
5) 83 vs West Indies, Guyana, 2023
The year was 2023, and India toured the Caribbean and the US for a five-match T20I series, where the third game of the series was played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The West Indies, home side, batted first and scored 159 after 20 overs, while in reply, India chased down the score in 17.5 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav scored a brilliant 83 off 44 deliveries, with 10 boundaries and four maximums, at a strike rate of 188.63 as India won the game comfortably, with seven wickets to spare. Alzari Joseph dismissed Surya, but not before he demolished the Caribbean bowling lineup. India were already two-zero down in the series, but thanks to Surya's magnificent effort, India made a roaring comeback to gain their first victory in this series.
4) 100 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2023
In December 2023, India were in South Africa for a T20I series, where, in the third game played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, India posted 201 runs after 20 overs, with seven wickets down.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav turned the heat on the Proteas bowlers with a magnificent 100 off 56 deliveries, with eight gigantic maximums and seven fours, at a strike rate of 178.57 as India defended the score comfortably after bowling the home side out for just 95, as Kuldeep Yadav picked five wickets. Surya again reminded everyone of his batting prowess, as the South African bowlers had no answer to his exceptional shots.
3) 111* vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, 2022
At third position is Surya's knock against the New Zealand side back in November 2022, when India played the Black Caps in the second T20I at Mount Maunganui. India batted first and put up 191 runs on the board as Surya played one of the finest knocks, scoring 111 not out off 51 balls at a strike rate of 217.64.
His seven maximums and 11 boundaries helped India register a massive total on the board. In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for just 126 as India won comfortably by 55 runs. SKY's classy, powerful attack proved heavy for the Kiwi bowlers, who had no answer to his spirited effort.
2) 112* vs Sri Lanka, Rajkot, 2023
In second position is Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 112 against Sri Lanka back in 2023 at Rajkot. In the third T20I of the series, India batted first and put up a mammoth total of 228 runs on the board after 20 overs, with just five wickets down. Yadav thrashed the Lankan bowlers all over the park, consuming just 51 deliveries, as it contained seven fours and nine maximums, at a strike rate of 219.60, proving quite efficient with the bat.
India's performance with the ball was equally dominating, bowling Sri Lanka out for just 137, winning by a margin of 91 runs. During this knock, Surya displayed proper class and confidence, as the Sri Lankan bowlers were in tatters when Surya was at the crease during this innings.
1) 117 vs England, Nottingham, 2022
The best ever innings by Suryakumar Yadav in T20 cricket came against England back in 2022 at Nottingham. It was the third T20I of the series, where England batted first and scored a massive 215 after the end of the 20 overs, where Liam Livingstone scored 42 not out, and the real star for England was Dawid Malan with 77.
In reply, India were three down for 31 when Suryakumar Yadav decided to take the onus upon himself, as he went after the target, scoring 117 off 55 deliveries, punishing England left, right, and centre with his fluent hitting all around the park. During his knock, he smashed 14 boundaries and 6 maximums, while the strike rate touched 212.72, as India could only reach 198 for 9 after the end of the innings, losing the game by a margin of just 17 runs.
It proved to be a valiant effort by SKY, but unfortunately, that went in vain. Surya was dismissed in the penultimate ball of the 19th over, following which India couldn't get past the 200-run mark. But this game, even though it ended in England's favour, is still remembered for Surya's best effort ever in the 20-over format.
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