Indian batting sensation Suryakumar Yadav was at his best in the second T20I against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Surya took Blackcaps bowlers to the cleaners, hitting at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 217.65.
Surya smashed a blazing century and remained unbeaten on 111 with the help of 11 fours, seven sixes as India posted a mammoth total of 191/6 in their allotted overs. In reply, the hosts got bundled out for a mere 126, losing the contest by 65 runs.
After the game, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson lavished praises on the Indian superstar and termed Surya’s knock as one of the best he’s ever seen. Williamson admitted that his team didn’t put up their best effort but he won’t take anything away from Suryakumar as some of the shots played by the Pune-born cricketer were out of this world.
“It was not our best effort. Surya’s innings was out of this world. One of the best knocks I’ve ever seen. Some of those shots, I’ve never seen before,” said Williamson in the post-match presentation.
Williamson further mentioned that Surya’s knock was the big difference between the two sides before rating him as the best player in the world.
“They were outstanding, we weren’t up to mark. We didn’t get momentum with the ball, didn’t get enough wickets and didn’t get momentum with the bat either. It was frustrating. Again, I’ll say about Suryakumar; his innings was the difference. It did swing a bit (in the chase), and India did well to get some swing. Important to look at those few areas and improve. Need to look at the small margins. Sometimes, a special innings can happen, Surya is the best player in the world,” added Williamson.
