IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav dethrones AB de Villiers to achieve historic IPL feat during PBKS vs MI Qualifier 2 clash

Mumbai Indians’ batting stalwart Suryakumar Yadav has once again carved his name into Indian Premier League (IPL) folklore, this time by eclipsing the legendary AB de Villiers. The historic feat was achieved during the high-stakes Qualifier 2 clash against Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, a match that not only kept Mumbai’s title hopes alive but also cemented Suryakumar’s status as one of the T20 format’s most dynamic batters.

Suryakumar Yadav shatters AB de Villiers’ record in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2

Suryakumar became the highest run-scorer by a non-opener in a single edition of the IPL. Suryakumar’s 2025 IPL campaign has been nothing short of phenomenal. Coming into Qualifier 2, he had already amassed 673 runs from 15 innings at a staggering average of 67.30 and a strike rate of 167.83, including five half-centuries and a top score of 73 not out, all without opening the batting. He needed just 15 more runs to surpass AB de Villiers’ 2016 record of 687 runs in a season by a non-opener, a milestone he reached with characteristic flair.

By the end of his innings, Suryakumar had crossed the 700-run mark, making him not only the highest-scoring non-opener in a single IPL season but also the first MI player to achieve this feat. His consistency has been remarkable: he crossed the 25-run mark in every match of the season, demonstrating both reliability and explosiveness in the middle order.

*Numbers as of the Qualifier 2 match.

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Suryakumar’s fearless innovation and impact in T20 cricket

What truly sets Suryakumar’s run apart is not just the quantum of runs, but the manner in which he has scored them. His fearless approach, marked by innovative sweeps and reverse sweeps against both spin and pace, has left bowlers and analysts alike in awe. Former cricketers have even suggested that Suryakumar’s range and adaptability make him a “better version” of De Villiers, a testament to his evolution as a modern T20 maestro.

Under immense pressure in a knockout match, Suryakumar’s ability to deliver has reaffirmed his stature as one of the league’s most valuable players. His performances have been instrumental in keeping Mumbai Indians in contention for a record sixth IPL title, and with the Orange Cap still within reach, the cricketing world watches to see if he can surpass Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan, who leads with 759 runs.

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