India’s middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav continued his dream run of form in T20 internationals, making him a force to reckon with in the year 2023. After scoring a half-century in the second T20I of the three-match rubber against Sri Lanka during India’s 16-run defeat in Pune, the series was at the line in Rajkot, and Suryakumar rose to the occasion.
The home team won the toss in the series decider and opted to bat first. After losing Ishan Kishan early, first Rahul Tripathi (35 off 16 balls), Shubman Gill (46 off 36) and then Suryakumar made a mockery of the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Suryakumar went on to score his third century in the shortest format of the game. He smashed nine sixes and seven fours in his unbeaten 112-run knock, guiding India to a mammoth total of 228/5 in their allotted overs.
The 32-year-old showcased his incredible batting skill to its fullest potential and was hailed by his teammates, especially Hardik Pandya.
In a video going viral on the internet, Hardik can be seen shell-shocked over a maximum hit by SKY off Sri Lankan pacer Chamika Karunaratne.
Here’s the video:
Sound 🔛😍
SKY on the charge! 👌👌#TeamIndia | #INDvSL | @surya_14kumar | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/uG7AVXUoTj
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2023
In reply, the touring party crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for 137 in 16.4 overs. They lost the match by 91 runs and the series (2-1).
At the post-match presentation ceremony, Indian skipper Pandya lauded in-form Suryakumar for his batting brilliance.
“I think he has been surprising everyone every innings that he is batting. He is just telling us that batting is so easy. If I were bowling to him, I’d be disheartened on seeing his batting, with the shot he plays. He has played blinders after blinders,” said Pandya.
