Suryakumar Yadav finally returned to form on Tuesday with a scintillating knock against Rajasthan Royals. The Mumbai Indians star slammed an unbeaten fifty to help his side finish on an imposing total of 193 for 4 in Abu Dhabi.
The right-handed batsman did get some starts with the bat earlier in the competition but he could not make them count. In the tournament-opener, he failed to get going and managed just 17 runs against Chennai Super Kings as Mumbai Indians lost the game.
He then played a 47-run knock against his former side Kolkata Knight Riders before registering knocks of 0, 10 and 27. And on Tuesday, he finally scored his first fifty of the competition. The Mumbai star slammed 79 off just 47 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and a couple of sixes.
As usual, his knock was studded with shots all around the park as he once again showed his ability of playing a wide range of shots. And soon after he finished his impressive knock, the cricketing fraternity took to social media to lavish praise on him.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar led the wishes as he said the batsman is very ‘special and dangerous’. Former cricketers Ian Bishop and Lisa Sthalekar were impressed with the right-handed batsman too as they lavished praise on him. Some even expressed their surprise over Suryakumar Yadav still not being a part of the national team.
Here are some of the reactions to his innings:
Suryakumar Yadav is such a wonderfully skillful player against pace and spin. Especially batting in the top 3 for @mipaltan .
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) October 6, 2020
This Suryakumar Yadav is so talented with amazing technics.. hope he gets to play for India soon. #RRvsMI
— Comedian Praveen (@Comedy_Praveen) October 6, 2020
I don’t have words for that shot of Suryakumar, after getting hit on the head. It’s just outstanding courage – Hardik Pandya, who got the best seat in the house watching SKY’s super innings.
— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) October 6, 2020
I still can’t believe that Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t played for India yet?!! Just shows the strength in their line-up but such a clever batter!! #MIvsRR
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) October 6, 2020
.@surya_14kumar is special and very dangerous because he can play on all sides of the wicket.#MIvRR #IPL2020
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 6, 2020
That was an extraordinary batting display from the underrated Suryakumar Yadav. He is good with both orthodox and unorthodox cricketing shots. This man deserves more #RRvMI #IPL2020
— Hamlyn (@imhamlyn) October 6, 2020
My Man @surya_14kumar – how come someone like him hasn’t played for India yet #MIvsRR #IPL2020 #IPLwithAajtak @mipaltan
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 6, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav is a CLASS player. Scored 79* off 47 & dominated the attack. He excelled as a finisher in the Deodhar Trophy and has been brilliant in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2019. Has scored 1116 runs for MI from IPL 2018. Should he play for India soon? #MIvRR #RRvMI
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 6, 2020
Interesting to note that Suryakumar Yadav is the uncapped player with the highest amount of runs in the IPL. He’s always been a bankable player who invariably got that 20-30 for Mumbai. Today, on the higher side. Good knock!
— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) October 6, 2020
While Suryakumar Yadav is still waiting for his first India call-up, he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for quite some time now. He was in devastating form in the last edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Suryakumar Yadav finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy with an average of 113, the highest in the competition. The Mumbai star continued in the same vein in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His tally of 392 was the third highest while his strike rate of 169 was the second-best among batsmen with 250 runs in the tournament.