New Delhi: Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav showcased glimpses of returning to form with his 32 off 22 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand at
the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21. The star batter also surpassed former India skipper Rohit Sharma to become the third-fastest Indian to complete 9,000 runs in T20s.
All eyes were on Suryakumar ahead of the start of the five-match T20I series between India and England as the Indian skipper was out of form and struggling for consistency. He headed into the first T20I on the back of a lean patch for India in T20Is, having not scored a fifty in his last 22 innings for the Men in Blue in the shortest format.
Though he failed to end his half-century drought, Suryakumar looked in good touch enroute to his 22-ball 32 against New Zealand in Nagpur. His knock was laced with 4 fours and a six as he showcased glimpses of his destructive old self. Enroute to his 32-run knock, the Indian skipper also breached the 9,000-run mark in T20Is.
He became only the fourth Indian batter after Virat Kohli, Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan to complete 9,000 runs in T20 cricket and the third-fastest Indian to do so. Suryakumar achieved the milestone in 321 innings, going past Rohit, who breached the 9,000-run mark in 329 innings in T20 cricket.
Fastest Indian batters to 9,000 runs in T20 cricket:
Virat Kohli – 271 Innings
Shikhar Dhawan – 308 Innings
Suryakumar Yadav – 321 Innings
Rohit Sharma – 329 Innings
Signs of form for Suryakumar Yadav good news for India
India produced a clinical display with the bat in the 1st T20I against New Zealand to post a strong total of 238 runs on the board in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the onslaught with his quickfire 84 off 35 balls. However, the biggest positive for India was the runs coming off skipper Suryakumar’s bat. The Indian skipper showed signs of returning to form with his 32 off 22 balls.
Suryakumar came out to bat when India were reeling at 27/2, having lost Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in quick succession. He combined with Abhishek to share a crucial 99-run stand for the third wicket to get India back on track and set the stage for a big total.
