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It was difficult to tell if the cheering was in response to Royal Challengers Bengaluru eventually claiming a wicket. They had managed to see off Ishan Kishan, who scorched to 69 off only 34 balls in the Mumbai Indians’ pursuit of 197 after giving up 101 in just 52 balls. The cause for the excitement among those in the Sachin Tendulkar Stand and the Dilip Vengsarkar Stand at Wankhede Stadium became evident as the incoming batter’s name was announced. It was for Suryakumar Yadav.
For MI supporters, Suryakumar is Surya dada, or elder brother, if Rohit Sharma is Mumbai cha raja, or the king of Mumbai. As they arrived at the Wankhede Stadium, a group of fans in their twenties screamed, “Ekach vaada, Surya dada [Only one promise, Surya brother!]”. Another supporter’s placard said, “SKY for the sky”. Even though the mainstay of Mumbai’s batting lineup had only appeared in one game—for a two-ball duck—since his return from a four-and-a-half-month injury layoff, he still command support.
Only four balls needed to be in order for SKY to open. Playing in his debut IPL match as an India cricketer with caps, he flicked Akash Deep past midwicket before hitting him for three sixes, including his signature supla smash over deep-backward square leg.
Suryakumar also did not spare the seasoned Reece Topley, taking 18 off the bowler’s third over, including three fours and a six. It was a reasonable approach for Topley to try to bowl wide from his hitting arc after witnessing Suryakumar’s earlier on-side proficiency. However, the Mumbai batsman was able to get beneath one delivery of that length and slice it over deep point for six runs.
Suryakumar has already accomplished all of this, reaching areas of the earth that appeared to be practically unreachable. But the only concern was if he could regain his touch after being out for a long time due to an ankle ailment and then a sports hernia. But Suryakumar quickly removed any worries by blasting a 17-ball half-century, which is the joint second-fastest for MI in IPL history, in a high-octane chase.
Suryakumar had a great time during his entire hour on the pitch. With a broad smile on his face, he rose from the ground and acknowledged the crowd while removing his helmet and raising his arms. After his 19-ball 52, which included five fours and four sixes, reduced the asking rate to just a little over three runs per over, he knew that Mumbai would win by two wickets.
It was virtually exactly like the previous year, when Mumbai easily defeated RCB’s 199 for 6 at the same venue thanks to Suryakumar’s 35-ball 83. Mumbai prevailed with 27 balls remaining this time.
Jasprit Bumrah is someone Suryakumar never plays against in the nets because “he either breaks my bat or my foot!” the player said after the game. The final IPL matchup between Suryakumar and Bumrah took place in the open while the former was playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The possibility that viewers will never witness these two superstars competing against one another at the height of their abilities is a loss.