Two days after missing out on India selection, Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav made a statement with the bat by hitting an unbeaten 79 off 43 balls to guide his team to a win against Royal Challengers Bangalore that almost qualifies them for a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 playoffs. Suryakumar had a unique celebration reserved for the moment of victory which could explain why he did not celebrate much after reaching his fifty – he wanted to stay till the end and finish off the chase.
That’s that from Match 48 as @mipaltan win by 5 wickets.@surya_14kumar with an unbeaten 79.
Scorecard – https://t.co/XWqNw97Zzc #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/ESHhCYRBik
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 28, 2020
Accolades poured in for the Mumbai batsman but none greater than the current India coach Ravi Shastri, who tweeted out his applause for the top-order bat: “Surya namaskar (emoji) Stay strong and patient @surya_14kumar.”
Surya namaskar . Stay strong and patient @surya_14kumar #MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/oJEJhekwpC
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) October 28, 2020
Great win @surya_14kumar, you beauty @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/WMYTE95KGs
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 28, 2020
Harbhajan Singh, who had expressed disappointment at Suyakumar’s omission from the Indian team, used emojis to convery his message.
https://t.co/eXTpFROw0S
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 28, 2020
“Fantastic innings by @surya_14kumar. Calm and composed as ever,” wrote Sachin Tendulkar.
Important win for @mipaltan.
Fantastic innings by @surya_14kumar.
Calm and composed as ever.— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 28, 2020
“Suryakumar Yadav is worth every moment of your time when you tune in to see him bat. What a player!!!!!!!” wrote Ian Bishop on Twitter.
Scott Styris had an offer to make.
I wonder if Suryakumar Yadav fancies playing International cricket he might move overseas #CoughNZCough
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) October 28, 2020
“The all-round excellence of Suryakumar Yadav has been a treat to watch. Interesting that he talked about meditation to get over the hot-headed image he had acquired. Whatever the reason, he is playing the best cricket of his life,” tweeted commentator Harsha Bhogle.
Tom Moody even questioned his omission from the India limited-overs squad for the tour of Australia.
Hard to understand how he’s missed both white ball teams? #AustraliaTour
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 28, 2020
Suryakumar has scored 362 runs from 12 matches this season at a strike rate of 155.36 with three fifties.