India is currently taking on South Africa at the Perth Stadium to try and book a spot in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals. Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first. However, the team found themselves in big trouble as they lost a few early wickets. Captain Rohit Sharma and opener KL Rahul departed in the powerplay, while in-form Virat Kohli departed shortly after.
During this time of struggle, Suryakumar Yadav stepped up to the occasion to guide the Men in Blue to a respectable total. The star batter was at the top of his game and initially took a while to settle in as wickets kept falling at the other end. Once he started scoring regularly, he always kept the boundaries in check.
Continuing his form from the last match, he scored a half-century here as well. He hit six fours and sent three over the boundary rope to score 68 runs in just 40 balls. He had a strike rate of 170 while other batters struggled to get going in the match. Nobody gave him any support in the innings, as the Indian skipper, with 15 runs in 14 balls, was the next-highest run scorer.
With the help of Suryakumar's innings, India eventually scored 133/9. With his four-wicket haul, Lungi Ngidi was the Proteas' pick of the bowlers. Wayne Parnell also was on song with his three wickets in the game. Anrich Nortje took a sole wicket in the innings.
In the meantime, Twitter was in awe of the Mumbai-born. Many users expressed their pleasure with him and hailed him as one of the greatest cricketers of the current generation. "You may be a fan of other cricketers of the world but you cannot hate Suryakumar Yadav. He is one man army. Long Live Sky.. Long Live Team India," a user wrote.
"Where every batsman failed, Suryakumar Yadav stood and fought till the end! Exceptional knock," another user said.
Here's how Twitter reacted to Suryakumar Yadav's knock
Suryakumar Yadav: 68(40)
β Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 30, 2022
Extras: 8
Rest of the batters: 57(80)
Everything else is temporary, " CEO Suryakumar Yadav " making the Academy proud is permanent πͺπ
β Boom Baam Academy (@BoomBaamAcademy) October 30, 2022
50*(30) by the big man!#INDvSA #SuryakumarYadav #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XEEml691hK
Suryakumar Yadav is in different level in T20I this year.
β Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 30, 2022
Suryakumar Yadav deserves number one T20I ranking more than anyone else. pic.twitter.com/y0Q8URSGJl
β R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) October 30, 2022
Suryakumar Yadav undoubtedly the best T20 batter currently.
β Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 30, 2022
A Lone Warrior's knock!π
β Boom Baam Academy (@BoomBaamAcademy) October 30, 2022
Chairman Shri MS Dhoni felicitated Suryakumar Yadav for his valiant 68(40) π₯#INDvSA #SuryakumarYadav #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XS3CfaG5U5
You may be a fan of other cricketers of the world but you cannot hate Suryakumar Yadav. He is one man army. Long Live Sky.. Long Live Team India.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/0aDDAogoFl
β Prof. Boies 2.0 πΏπ¦ (@im_Boies45) October 30, 2022
Suryakumar Yadav is the first Indian to score 1000 T20 runs in a calendar year while batting at No.4 or lower.
β Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 30, 2022
Averages 48.59 with strike-rate of 175.53.#T20WorldCup #INDvSA
This is probably the best knock from Suryakumar yadav . pic.twitter.com/SYYJonDogW
β SUPRVIRAT (@ishantraj51) October 30, 2022
Where every batsman failed , Suryakumar Yadav stood and fought till the end !
β Asha (@ashaa_45) October 30, 2022
Exceptional knock π₯ pic.twitter.com/3GUkGWHBFM
Now I know why they say SKY has no limit.. 360 degree batting display by Suryakumar Yadav under challenging circumstances. India needs to bowl well to defend this. #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/8fEHCArX1P
β Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) October 30, 2022
β Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) October 30, 2022