"Sorry for all the trolls" - Fans and cricketers react to Suryakumar Yadav's stunning 53 in IND vs AFG T20 World Cup Super 8 match
Suryakumar Yadav shone with the bat in India's Super 8 match in the 2024 T20 World Cup against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday, June 20. The swashbuckling batter notched up a 27-ball half-century, the fourth-faster fifty of the edition.
India won the toss and chose to bat first. However, they got off to a shaky start, with skipper Rohit Sharma back in the hut early. To make matters worse, Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli also departed after decent starts.
Suryakumar walked out to bat when the Men in Blue were at 54/2 after seven overs. Despite the pressure, the dynamic batter showed positive intent, countering the Afghanistan bowlers with great aplomb.
He slammed his second half-century on the trot. The right-handed batter finished with 53 off 28 deliveries, hitting three sixes and five fours during his entertaining knock.
Suryakumar Yadav earned widespread praise on social media for his stunning batting exploits. Here are some of the reactions:
Apart from the fans, several experts and former cricketers also lauded Suryakumar for his performance.
"Bagging another half century of the tournament, you’re a true masterclass in batting! What a stellar 50 brother @surya_14kumar. Keep it up!" wrote Suresh Raina.
"The best thing of this game so far was how Surya Kumar Yadav played Rashid khan. Outstanding skill from SKY!" commented Irfan Pathan.
"Good to see SKY back near his best, he's an important cog in the Indian batting wheel. Crucial partnership with Hardik from 90/4. 181 is a good total here, batters have done the job. India to win by 20+ runs," chimed in Wasim Jaffer.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya formed a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket which was instrumental in India registering an impressive score. They finished at 181/8 in 20 overs.
"I just backed my game and my instincts" - Suryakumar Yadav on his 53-run knock in IND vs AFG match
During a mid-inning interview, Suryakumar Yadav mentioned that he was slightly anxious after the fall of Virat Kohli's wicket. However, he emphasized that he was keen to play with a positive approach at that crucial juncture. He said:
"That's what I have practised, I enjoy batting from (7-15 overs) that's the most difficult phase where the opposition bowlers look to control things. I like to take charge in that phase, I enjoy it. I started chewing my gum harder when he (Kohli) got out. I just backed my game and my instincts."
Shedding light on his bond with skipper Rohit Sharma, he added:
"I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit Sharma) and now under him, he understands my game. He knows my game, so he sits back and enjoys it."
Suryakumar Yadav was the top performer with the bat for India. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-0-26-3.