NEW DELHI: Cricket enthusiasts worldwide celebrate the 33rd birthday of India's renowned T20I batsman, Suryakumar Yadav. Though considered a late bloomer in international cricket, his explosive style and audacious strokes have won him a special place in the cricketing world.
Suryakumar made his international debut at the age of 31, a remarkable late start to his international career. His debut shot, a stunning 'Calypso Shot' against Jofra Archer, made headlines globally and showcased his audacious batting style. Over the past two years, he's consistently displayed his remarkable ability to execute jaw-dropping, 360-degree shots across cricketing arenas worldwide.
In his T20I career comprising 53 matches and 50 innings, Suryakumar has amassed 1,841 runs with an impressive average of 46.02 and a strike rate of 172.70. His remarkable tally includes three centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a high score of 117 against England on their home turf. Such a combination of consistency, centuries, and explosiveness is a rare feat in T20Is.
Notably, Suryakumar played a crucial role in Team India's journey to the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, scoring 239 runs in six matches at an average of 59.75 and a strike rate of nearly 190. He was the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
In 2022, Suryakumar topped the T20I charts, accumulating 1,164 runs in 31 matches with an average of 46.56 and a strike rate exceeding 187. These outstanding performances earned him the 'ICC T20I Player of the Year' award in 2022. His T20I strike rate stands as the highest in the history of T20I cricket.
With 12 'Player of the Match' awards in just 53 appearances, Suryakumar ranks third in the format, trailing only Mohammed Nabi and Virat Kohli.
While he excels in T20Is, Suryakumar is yet to fully ignite in ODIs. In 26 ODIs, he has scored 511 runs with an average of 24.33 and a strike rate exceeding 101. However, his explosive potential remains unquestionable, especially with the 50-over World Cup on the horizon.
Suryakumar has also left an indelible mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With over 3,000 runs and four IPL trophies to his name, he stands as one of the most successful players in IPL history.
As he celebrates his 33rd birthday, cricket fans eagerly anticipate more breathtaking innings and audacious strokes from the dynamic T20 specialist.
(With ANI inputs)
