Mumbai Indians (MI) finally opened their account in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 as they defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by five wickets on Saturday. The chief architect behind MI’s maiden win in the fifteenth season was their star batter Suryakumar Yadav.
Surya displayed high-quality batting with his crucial 51 off 39 deliveries, helping Mumbai chase down the set total with four balls to spare. During the second innings, one moment involving Surya and RR leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal grabbed everyone’s eyeballs, which MI batter termed as ‘sweet banter’ after the match.
It all happened on the last ball of the eighth over when Chahal used a DRS referral for LBW against Surya. The ball was clipping the top of the off-stump, and the decision stayed as it was umpire’s call. While Chahal looked disappointed, Surya went to console his Team India teammate by giving him a hug.
After the contest, SKY lavished praise on Chahal, addressing him ‘a great bowler’ and admitted that he enjoyed the banter.
“During the game, I didn’t tell him anything, and it was just a sweet banter between him and me, but I’m really happy that I got away with the umpire’s call and the way things went after that. He is a great bowler, and I’ve enjoyed having that fight between him and me in the middle,” Surya said in the post-match presser.
Despite MI still sitting at the bottom of the table, Surya opined that the win against RR will spread positivity in the camp. The right-handed batter said he enjoys batting at number three as it allows him to pace his innings.
“It was really important for me to play till the end, but my job at No. 3 was to take the game ahead from where Rohit left. Nevertheless, very happy with the way things went. It was an important win to have a good atmosphere. Really looking forward to the few games ahead. I have enjoyed batting at all positions, but I love batting at No. 3 because I can pace my innings accordingly and take the game ahead. I am really flexible. (This win) Spreads a loads of positivity, even in the practice session, we are enjoying each others’ company,” added Surya.
