Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand ran to Suryakumar Yadav and playfully examined his bat just after India finished an incredible 10-over chase of 154 at Guwahati. Following a 37-ball 82 in Raipur, Suryakumar hit a 26-ball 57, his second fifty in as many games.
Mitchell might have been openly admiring a swashbuckler who can perform some incredible feats with the bat, or he might have simply been examining the construction and meat of Suryakumar’s bat.
When doing well, Suryakumar can inspire admiration and wonder in equal measure in both supporters and rivals. However, a new, more useful form of emotion alleviation will be felt by the team management. The best sign ahead of the T20 World Cup next month is the captain rediscovering his form.
However, things were different until January 23. Since October 12, 2024, Suryakumar had not scored a fifty in 23 innings. During this period, he had only scored one 40-plus and one 30-plus. The Mumbai man was removed by pacers 15 times in the first 10 balls, which was another concerning pattern.
However, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson’s early dismissals in the second T201 in Raipur proved to be a blessing in disguise. Suryakumar needed to consolidate the innings when the openers came back to the hut in 1.1 overs, which gave him some time to collect himself and think.
He scored at a high strike rate right away since there was little expectation on him to keep up the pace established by openers or one-down batters. It’s unusual for him to score with a strike-rate of 100, but he got off to a slow start, making 10 off 10 balls.
However, Suryakumar reverted to his usual form and raced to 72 in the next 27 balls after using up the pitch’s and the bowlers’ pace. Pacers, who had been his nemesis up until then, were dismantled. While more seasoned players Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy were negated with 14 off six and 16 off 11 balls, Zak Foulkes gave up 41 runs off 12 balls.
Foulkes was completely destroyed: two in the ‘V’ in front, four boundaries through point and deep third man regions, and sixes behind fine leg and over long on. The original 360 batter was making a comeback.
The legendary Sunil Gavaskar recognized the importance of that Raipur innings.
“The knock gave him exactly the confidence he needed. He hasn’t been short of form; he’s been short of runs. He has been batting very well in the nets. He’s not struggling there, he’s hitting the ball cleanly and all around the ground. It just wasn’t working for him in matches. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of luck to get going. This time, he didn’t even need luck. That innings was exactly what he needed. His confidence is back,” a PTI report quoted Gavaskar telling the host broadcaster.
His batting performance in Sunday’s third game at Baraspara Stadium was indicative of this. Suryakumar walked in a different scenario this time. In just 3.2 overs, India was 53/2 while trying to reach a mediocre 154.
Suryakumar had enough time to settle in with just over 100 required in 17 overs, and he took 8 balls to score 8 runs, leaving a rampaging Abhishek Sharma to take the Kiwi attack to the cleaners.
Suryakumar never attempted to surpass his younger teammate, who was scoring at an astounding strike-rate of 345. However, the 35-year-old chose his bowlers wisely—spinners this time. Ish Sodhi conceded 14 off 8 balls, Mitchell Santner gave 18 off 8, and Glenn Phillips was taken of 15 off 5 balls, largely using the sweep shot and its slog variation.
It was evident that Suryakumar had found his rhythm, and now at No. 4, India has insurance against the unforeseen setbacks that Abhishek and Ishan Kishan may experience at the top.
