NEW DELHI: Indian worries about Suryakumar Yadav's return to action ahead of the T20 World Cup in June were allayed as the Mumbai Indians batter brushed away the cobwebs with a quick fifty in Thursday's Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter.
The top-ranked batter in T20 Internationals, Suryakumar missed Mumbai's opening three games of the season while recuperating from surgery for a sports hernia and an ankle injury.
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Although the 33-year-old is almost certain to make the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies, he was dismissed for a duck in his opening game of the season to the Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
But in Thursday's home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Suryakumar was back to his best, hitting 52 off 19 balls in an innings that featured four sixes.
Mumbai seized control as Jasprit Bumrah (5-21) held Bengaluru to 196-8. Ishan Kishan (69) and Rohit Sharma (38) amassed 101 runs in nine overs.
"Chasing (around) 200 at the Wankhede, it's important to know if there is any dew factor," Suryakumar said after Mumbai cruised to a seven-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare.
"If it is, you got to take your chances and that's what we did today.
"When we passed the 10th over, the game was all set by Ishan and Rohit. We knew we had to finish early for that net run-rate thing."
A sliced six off Reece Topley over deep point and a scoop from beyond the off-stump that raced to the fine leg boundary were among Suryakumar's unconventional shot-making displays.
"I practise these shots a lot, it's in my muscle memory now," he said.
Bumrah won player of the match thanks to his outstanding bowling, and Suryakumar is glad they are on the same team.
"It's been two to three years that I've never batted against Jasprit in the nets," Suryakumar said of his Mumbai and India team mate.
"Either he breaks my bat, or my foot."
Later in an interview with 'JioCinema', Suryakumar said whenever he came out to bat he would try to see how he could change the course of the game.
"I think about the shots I play beforehand, because I have practiced all of them during the nets. I try to make sure that I bat according to the situation of the game. If the game is progressing slowly, then I think of how I could possibly speed it up.
"Whenever I go into bat, I always try to see how I can change the game and how I can control it with my abilities," he said.
On MI's performance so far, he said, "I think the train was always on track, it just took a while to get going. It's fine, we're coming back and have found our rhythm.
"It feels great to have won two games in a row at the Wankhede. It gives us great confidence and has improved the team's atmosphere as well."
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said sky is the limit for Suryakumar when he's batting at his best.
"When his mind's free, he just lets loose. The sky is the limit for him when he's batting like that. He can hit them and does hit them all around the ground," said Watson.
"When he's in the type of form like he showed tonight, the poor bowlers, no one can bowl anywhere.
"He's got an incredible awareness of the field but then the skill to be able to manipulate the ball into those gaps, it's freakish stuff. The Mumbai Indians are very lucky to have him."
(With agencies inputs)
1/9:Mumbai Indians thump Royal Challengers Bengaluru
<p>Mumbai Indians thump Royal Challengers Bengaluru</p>AFP
2/9:A starry reunion
<p>The electrifying contest witnessed passionate cheers for stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with intermittent boos for MI skipper Hardik Pandya.</p>AFP
3/9:Bumrah's Magical Spell
<p>Jasprit Bumrah's magical five-wicket haul dismantled RCB's batting lineup, stifling their run-scoring and paving the way for Mumbai Indians' dominant performance with the ball.</p>AFP
4/9:Karthik's Late Blitz
<p>Dinesh Karthik's late blitz, accompanied by crucial contributions from Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar, propelled RCB to a challenging total of 196/8.</p>AFP
5/9:Rohit and Kishan's Partnership
<p>Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan's explosive partnership of 101 runs off 53 balls for the first wicket laid a solid foundation for Mumbai Indians' emphatic victory, leaving RCB struggling to contain the onslaught.</p>AFP
6/9:Sensational SKY
<p>Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating 52 off 19 deliveries, adorned with four sixes and five fours, showcased his exquisite strokeplay as Mumbai Indians cruised past RCB's imposing target in just 15.3 overs.</p>AFP
7/9:Kishan's Explosive Innings
<p>Ishan Kishan's explosive knock of 69 runs off just 34 balls, embellished with seven boundaries and five towering sixes, set the tone for Mumbai Indians' chase, leaving RCB's bowlers reeling.</p>AFP
8/9:Mumbai Indians' Dominant Victory
<p>Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan led the charge with electrifying batting performances, propelling Mumbai Indians to a commanding seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.</p>AFP
