'I Was Happy When Virat Kohli Sledged Me,' Says Suryakumar Yadav; Reveals The Reason Why
Published - 25 May 2021, 12:40 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:46 AM
India and Mumbai Indians (MI) batsman Suryakumar Yadav revealed that he loved and was happy when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and India captain Virat Kohli sledged him during an IPL 2020 match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Chasing 165, Suryakumar Yadav slammed an unbeaten 79 to help MI win a tight contest and as things heated up in the match, Virat Kohli was seen saying something to the Mumbai batsman in order to unnerve him, but Suryakumar Yadav just ignored what was said and looked in his elements.
I Was Happy That Virat Kohli Sledged Me: Suryakumar Yadav
The match had seen Mumbai Indians been asked to chase down 165 runs, but openers Quinton de Kock (18) and Ishan Kishan (25) failed to give a flying start at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Saurabh Tiwary followed soon for 5 runs, but Suryakumar Yadav stood steadfast and scored runs at a brisk pace.
Krunal Pandya (10) and Hardik Pandya (17) added crucial runs with Suryakumar, who remained unbeaten on 79 in 43 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes, as MI reached the target with 5 balls and 5 wickets to spare.
Talking about the sledging incident where Virat Kohli had a go at him, Suryakumar said that that who Virat is, someone who goes hard at any batsman in the opposing team. Suryakumar said the staring was a heat of the moment thing and said he respected Kohli.
“It’s not just me, he goes hard at any batsman batting against him. I was happy that he sledged me. It means even Kohli knew that if I bat on, we will win the match and if they got my wicket, then maybe they could slow us down and create a chance to win,” Suryakumar Yadav said about Kohli in a live chat on Mumbai Indians’ Instagram handle.
“I am a cool and calm customer on the pitch, so I don’t get into these rivalries. But there was that moment in Abu Dhabi, so I guess that can go down as one,” he said.
RCB had batted first in the match after MI captain Kieron Pollard won the toss. They put on 164/6 in 20 overs with Devdutt Padikkal making 74 with 12 fours and 1 six and Josh Philippe making 33 runs and adding 71 runs for the first wicket.
