Suryakumar Yadav, known for his dynamic batting and unique shots, has been outstanding in T20I cricket with amazing performances. His 360-degree range of shots has changed the way batting is seen in T20 cricket. Since his T20I debut, he has become a key player for India, showing great consistency no matter the conditions or match situation. In less than two years, he has reached the number one spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings and still holds that position.
As a sometimes captain for India, he has delivered many match-winning performances.
Here we look at five of his best T20I innings.
1. 117 (55) vs England- 2022
Suryakumar Yadav’s great performance in T20Is earned him a spot on India’s team for their England tour in mid-2022. He played in the third game and needed to chase a huge 216-run target for a 3-0 series win.
India struggled early, losing three wickets for 31 runs. Suryakumar hit 14 boundaries and six sixes, scoring 117 runs from 55 balls, keeping the chase alive until the second-last over when he was dismissed by Moeen Ali.
Despite his efforts, India fell short by 17 runs due to lack of support from the other end. His century is still considered one of his best T20I performances.
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2. 111* (51) vs New Zealand- 2022
During one of the T20Is in India’s November 2022 tour of New Zealand, Suryakumar Yadav played brilliantly, scoring 111 not out from just 51 balls at Mount Maunganui. He hit seven sixes and 11 boundaries, helping India reach a total of 191-6 in 20 overs. Yadav especially targeted Lockie Ferguson, scoring 22 runs off his last six balls. His performance was crucial, as India won the match by 65 runs, taking an early lead in the three-match series.
3. 68 (40) vs South Africa- 2022 T20 World Cup
When Team India lost half their players for just 49 runs in Perth during the 2022 T20 World Cup against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav showed he thrives under pressure. He helped his team reach a respectable 133 runs by the end of their 20 overs.
Yadav hit six boundaries and three sixes, scoring 68 runs from 40 balls, more than half of the team’s total. No other Indian batter scored more than captain Rohit Sharma’s 15 runs. Yadav’s smart batting dominated the strong South African bowlers.
Despite Yadav’s efforts, India lost due to David Miller’s excellent performance in the run chase.
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4. 100 (56) vs South Africa- 2023
Suryakumar Yadav flew to South Africa in December 2023 as the captain of the Indian T20I team. In the must-win third match against South Africa in Johannesburg, he hit a series of amazing sixes after India’s early troubles. He smashed eight sixes and seven fours, helping India reach a huge total of 201 runs. Yadav scored a century in just 55 balls, making it his fourth T20I hundred, matching the records of Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell. His incredible performance led Team India to a 106-run win, tying the series.
5. 112* (51) vs Sri Lanka- 2023
Suryakumar Yadav celebrated New Year in January 2023 with a brilliant match-winning century against Sri Lanka at Rajkot. Supported by Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi’s strong start, Yadav attacked after the powerplay.
He dominated Sri Lanka’s bowling in the series-deciding game with seven stylish boundaries and nine powerful sixes. Yadav ended with an unbeaten 112 from just 51 balls, boosting India’s total to 228-5 in 20 overs.
This total was 91 runs more than Sri Lanka’s best effort, helping India win the series 2-1. Yadav was named ‘Player of the Match’.
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