In an update that would bring relief to millions of Indian cricket fans, Suryakumar ruled out injury and said he was struggling to run between the wickets only due to tiredness on Monday in an IPL 2024 game between MI and SRH. Suryakumar was limping between the wickets during a sensational knock of 102 not out in 51 balls in MI’s 7-wicket hammering of the SunRisers. However, the World No. 1 T20I batter said it was nothing but a bit of fatigue and rust due to the high-octane contests in the ongoing season.
MI vs SRH, IPL 2024 Highlights | Scorecard
Suryakumar Yadav did not let the niggle in the middle hinder his run-scoring form as he hit 6 sixes and 12 boundaries in a knock that left his batting partner 14Tilak Varma and the rest of the world in awe. MI were reeling at 31 for 3 in the powerplay after losing Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan for single-digit scores. However, Suryakumar and Tilak fearlessly counterattacked SRH pacers and put the pressure right back on the visiting team.
While Suryakumar got his second IPL hundred to equal a Rohit Sharma record, the India star and Tilak Varma stitched 143 runs in just 69 balls — the highest-ever partnership for MI for the 4th wicket or lower. Suryakumar hit the winning runs in style as he smashed one into the stands, also bringing up his 6th T20 century.
“I’ve been doing this after very long time. After 14th December this is the first time I fielded for 20 overs and batted for 18. But I’m alright. Only tiredness,” Suryakumar Yadav said after winning the Player of the Match award.
Suryakumar had missed the first couple of matches for MI in IPL 2024 as he needed more time to recover from a long injury layoff. Suryakumar underwent sports hernia surgery earlier in the year and missed the home series against Afghanistan. He last played for India in December when leading India in a T20I series in South Africa.
IPL 2024: Points Table
The World No. 1 T20I batter, who has been picked in India’s T20I squad, said the hundred on Monday was an important knock for him in the lead-up to the showpiece event.
NEED OF THE HOUR FOR ME: SURYAKUMAR
Suryakumar has 334 runs in 9 matches with four 50-plus scores, but he had not been able to stitch a string of consistent scores before the first week of May — 56 against KKR and 102 not out against SRH.
“I feel it was the need of the hour for me to win. Three wickets were down and I needed to play till the end. Knew that dew was heavy and I had to bat till the seam came off. Traditional shots came from the Mumbai school of arts. I knew what to do when the ball was seaming and then brought out all the shots which I practice. I feel the intent would’ve been the same,” Suryakumar said, explaining the method behind the madness.
Suryakumar’s wide array of shots was on display as he hit the SunRisers pacers with his unconventional style. His takedown of Marco Jansen in the 7th over changed the momentum in favour of MI on Monday. There was no looking back for Suryakumar and MI from there on as they chased down the target in just 17.2 overs.
MI, who got off the bottom of the table, will next face KKR at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 11.
