In a dazzling display of skill and power, Suryakumar Yadav stole the spotlight with a scintillating century in yesterday’s T20 International match against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav‘s breathtaking performance guided India to a commanding victory in the final T20I at the Wanderers, Johannesburg.
Struggle in the middle
Suryakumar Yadav came into the crease in the 3rd over after Keshav Maharaj’s twin strikes reduced India to 29-2. The Indian Skipper took his time adjusting to the wicket and was struggling to find the gaps consistently. Suryakumar Yadav hit a few boundaries off Lizaad Williams and Maharaj in the powerplay and was looking to carry on.
But the introduction of Andre Phelukwayo after the powerplay tied Suryakumar Yadav down, the medium pacer was not offering much pace to deal with and Suryakumar Yadav struggled to put the bat on the ball. He tried to sweep the spinners hard but was unlucky as his shots went straight to the fielders. He was struck at 26 off 24 balls at the halfway mark.
Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass in Power-Hitting
The Indian batter then gained momentum after he stepped out and smacked a ball over the extra cover off Keshav Maharaj for a huge maximum. Following it he absolutely tore down Andile Phelukwayo taking him for 22 runs with 3 sixes and a four and completed a well-made fifty off 32 balls.
The Mumbai batter then left no bowler and played some exquisite shots to take India towards a formidable total. Surya stood solid at the one end as he entered the nineties with a four off Nandre Burger in the 17th over.
Suryakumar Yadav was struck at the non-striker’s end for some time after that and had to wait till the last over to reach his 4th international ton. Suryakumar Yadav flicked a full ball towards deep midwicket and came back for a second to complete a record 4th century equaling Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell for most Tons in T2oIs.
His ton set the tone for the victory as Indian bowlers did the rest. They bundled out South Africa for just 95 runs on the back of Kuldeep Yadav’s fifer to draw the series 1-1. Suryakumar Yadav was given the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards for his 156 runs in 2 matches.
A rare record
The Mumbai batsman’s ton, which included some sublime shots and innovative strokes, left the opposition bowlers struggling for answers. He dominated the bowling attack, sending the ball to all parts of the ground and treating the spectators to a masterclass in power hitting. Surya registered a rare record with his ton. All his four tons came in different continents. He now has centuries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.