The beauty of sports lies in within its uncertainty and unpredictability. Cricket has given us the privilege of witnessing players walk onto the field and manufacture their way to something magical. There are only a few batters in world cricket that made jaws drop and left us questioning our understanding of the game. Sir Vivian Richards, Michael Bevan, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and our very own Mr 360, AB De Villiers.
What set these players apart from the rest was the concrete confidence in their ability, awareness of the game and the sheer audacity in the shots they played. World cricket is once again at a standstill, in awe and admiration of the new sensation on the block, Suryakumar Yadav. His exploits in the Indian Premiere League were for everyone to witness and post his resurgence with the Mumbai Indians, he elevated his gameplay to perfectly match the style of T20 cricket. Experts and fans all called for his inclusion into the Indian team after a stellar IPL 2020 and skipper Rohit had famously told him that his Indian debut is not far away! March 14 2021 will be etched in Sky’s heart for eternity as he made his debut against the mighty England at home, stamping his authority on the first delivery he faced as he smashed Jofra Archer for a six. Since then, he has featured in 39 games for India in the format, cementing his spot in the list of greatest ever T20I players to grace the game with his wide array of shots and on field magic.
Let us now look at the top 7 innings of arguably India’s most destructive batter in T20 cricket.
1. 68 from 40 balls vs South Africa – October 2022, Perth
South Africa came into the T20 world cup as strong contenders to lift the trophy and on paper were the toughest assignment for India in the super 12s, especially when playing at Perth. The surface at Perth offers steep rise and bounce with real pace and venom, mirroring the conditions back home for the Proteas. Their pace attack was one teams would not fancy facing on pacy, bouncy wickets and the Indian batting line up found out exactly why.
India was off to a horrible start, reeling at 49/5 at the end 9 overs and were staring at a below par total and threat of losing necessary points in the NRR. Out walked Suryakumar Yadav, who was fresh from a wonderful fifty versus the Dutch and nailed the South African bowlers all around the ground. He did not seem be rushed by pace or troubled by the bounce and beautifully adjusted to the conditions and played one of the most scintillating knocks by an Indian batter in T20Is. In a game where every batter struggled to come to terms with the conditions and played at 6.75 runs per over, Sky aggregated 10. He was operating on a different level that mere mortals could only dream of. His pristine timing, placement of shots and swagger are a combo that could prove deadly for any bowling attack as the Proteas found out. His knock was the difference between a humiliating loss for India, who almost edged out ahead before Miller finished the game. This knock will certainly be remembered by pundits and fans alike, as he stood tall on a day where the Proteas bent their back in pursuit of pace.
2. 117 of 55 balls vs England, July 2022 – Nottingham
Surya’s highest score in the format came against a limited over side that rewritten the mantra of limited overs cricket. England smashed their way to a massive total of 215/7 in the third and final T20I and India needed their batters to step up and rise to the occasion. The top 3 fell cheaply and Sky was once again entrusted to do the dirty work of rebuilding the innings in a mammoth chase. What transpired in the next few overs was a masterclass of T20 batting and the perfect innings in a run chase.
In a game where the next highest score of the team read 28 of 23 balls, he was striking the ball at a rate of 200+ with just five false shots in the entirety of his innings. He showed that day why he is regarded and will be named India’s most destructive T20I batter after Yuvraj Singh who possesses the ability to take bowling attacks apart on any ground, any pitch, anywhere. He raised his helmet and bat to the applauding crowd of Trent Bridge, who had just witnessed hitting of the highest order and even though India eventually lost the game, they had found their diamond in Suryakumar Yadav.
3. 76 from 44 balls vs West Indies – August 2022, Basseterre
Rahul-Rohit duo had promised to be flexible with their playing XI and mentioned that players are aware of the fickle nature of this format that could dictate changes in the order.
Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar walked onto the ground with a target of 165 to chase on a tricky surface at the Basseterre. Skipper Sharma had walked off the field with a back injury, which would certainly have sent worries in the Indian camp but Sky was unperturbed. He converted a tricky chase into quiet the stroll, playing audacious strokes all over the ground, striking at 170 while the other batters struggled to get going.
His six to Alzarri Joseph’s 140kmph hard length delivery will be a shot for the ages and was testimony to the fact that the cricketing world is in the middle of witnessing a batter at the peak of his powers.
4. 50 from 33 balls vs South Africa – September 2022, Thiruvananthapuram
India was playing South Africa at home after a successful series against Australia, with preparations for the World cup going in full swing. The first game was played on a surface that proved to be quite the minefield for batters with the Proteas only managing a meagre total of 106/8 after 20 overs.
India lost both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cheaply as the batters struggled to get the runs flowing. Out walks Suryakumar Yadav, who with the able company of deputy KL Rahul once again defied all cricketing laws and odds. KL Rahul’s score at the end of the innings read 51(56) * and Surya’s read 50(33) *, as he took the pitch of the equation with his immaculate display of batting.
On a surface where the class of KL Rahul could not accelerate, Surya showcased to the world why he is a once in a lifetime kind of player and that India are extremely blessed to have such a dynamic player in their midst, one who may go onto etch his name in the hearts of all that love this beautiful game.
5. 61 from 25 balls vs Zimbabwe – October 2022, Melbourne
India vs Zimbabwe was a must win clash for them before Netherlands managed to triumph over the tournament favourites, knocking them out the World Cup. Nevertheless, India would have certainly wanted to end the group stages with a victory and the entire unit performed exceptionally well in this game.
India has improved their record batting first in T20Is over the last few years and Surya has played a major role in it. His batting provides the innings with a much-needed impetus in the middle overs, a phase where batters generally tend to slow their scoring rate. His pyrotechnics were once again on full display as Surya exploited the gaps to perfection. He fetched a ball outside off and swept it over fine leg and deep square leg, leaving commentators and spectators both gasping and dropping their jaws in awe.
The bowlers had no answers to his great shot creating ability and were once again at the mercy of the master!
6. 57 from 31 balls vs England – March 2021, Ahmedabad
If there is anyone who needs an answer to how good is Suryakumar Yadav, look no farther than his debut knock in the T20Is. In front of him was a spearing, galloping Jofra Archer, pace bowling menace breathing fire and ready to rattle his stumps only for Yadav to nonchalantly flick him over fine leg for six. That one delivery epitomised the wonder that is ‘Surya’ as he’s affectionately called, a true embodiment of elite skill and clarity of thought. His movements across the crease are almost hypnotic, leaving everyone in total awe.
Skipper Kohli in the post-match conference praised the attitude and mindset he showcased, a template he hoped that all batters replicated. Surya was awarded player of the match for his blistering knock.
7. 61 from 22 balls vs South Africa – October 2022, Guwahati
On a batting surface that had grip and a tad of stickiness, Suryakumar Yadav pyrotechnics were once again on display. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli found their groove and were on the path to propel India to sizeable total of 185 but Surya had other things in mind. He raced to fifty of just 18 balls and completely changed the momentum of the game as India posted a steep total of 237/3.
KL Rahul was infamously adjudged player of the match in a move that took him by surprise as well but the vice-captain mentioned how Surya’s innings had a bigger impact on the game and was eventually the difference between the two teams, with India winning by 16 runs.
