Sachin, Shastri, Harsha Celebrate Suryakumar’s Match-Winning Knock
India head coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday commended Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav for his 43-ball 79 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and asked the batsman to "stay strong and patient".
Yadav led MI to an important victory against RCB and won the Man of the Match award. The innings came shortly after he missed out on the Indian squad selected for the upcoming tour of Australia.
"Surya namaskar. Stay strong and patient @surya_14kumar #MIvsRCB," Shastri tweeted.
Surya namaskar . Stay strong and patient @surya_14kumar #MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/oJEJhekwpC
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) October 28, 2020
The selectors' decision to not pick Yadav in the Indian squads for the ODIs or T20Is has been met with significant criticism. Former India captain and ex-chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh were among those who criticised the selectors for not including the Mumbai batsman.
Also Read: Pollard Talks About Suryakumar’s Team India Selection Omission
After Wednesday’s knock, Yadav became Mumbai’s second-highest scorer this season with 362 runs in 11 innings. His 79 off 43 balls also equalled his highest score in the tournament. He had earlier this season remained unbeaten on 79, off 47 deliveries, against Rajasthan Royals at the same venue on 6 October.
In fact, Yadav is also the leading scorer in Abu Dhabi during this IPL, having scored 335 runs at an average of 55.83 in eight matches at the venue. In the two other venues, Dubai and Sharjah, where he has played two games each, Yadav has just 27 runs from four matches.
Also Read: After Selection Miss, Suryakumar Yadav Stuns in MI’s Win Over RCB
After the win, the 30-year-old said he has been tasked to take the game deep, which he did in all the three half-century knocks he has hit.
"The team management and Rohit told me before the start of the tournament that you have played enough to take the game deep. I am glad I have been able to do it," said Yadav after his innings.
Following his match-winning knock on Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi, Yadav’s A-list supporters all took to Twitter to make a case for him once again.
Class inn yet again @surya_14kumar hope selectors are watching him play.. well played @mipaltan @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 28, 2020
Important win for @mipaltan.
Fantastic innings by @surya_14kumar.
Calm and composed as ever.
Way to go!#MIvRCB #IPL2020— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 28, 2020
The all-round excellence of Suryakumar Yadav has been a treat to watch. Interesting that he talked about meditation to get over the hot-headed image he had acquired. Whatever the reason, he is playing the best cricket of his life.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 28, 2020
I wonder if Suryakumar Yadav fancies playing International cricket he might move overseas #CoughNZCough
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) October 28, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav what a pleasure to watch. #MIvRCB #SuryakumarYadav #IPL
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 28, 2020
Great win @surya_14kumar, you beauty @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/WMYTE95KGs
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 28, 2020
Surya Kumar Yadav should’ve been on the flight to Australia. For the T20i series. #MI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 28, 2020
I liked the celebration or rather the lack of it much better than the knock itself from #SuryakumarYadav #MIvsRCB #IPL2020
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) October 28, 2020
Dil jeet liya aapne bhai ❤️
It's our loss not to have you in the Indian team, you are pure class @surya_14kumar #SuryakumarYadav#MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/KvAz1elrsQ— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) October 28, 2020
.@surya_14kumar giving India’s selectors some homework to do
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 28, 2020
. Read more on Sports Buzz by The Quint.Sunday View: The Best Weekend Opinion Reads, Curated Just For YouSachin, Shastri, Harsha Celebrate Suryakumar’s Match-Winning Knock . Read more on Sports Buzz by The Quint.
