IPL 2024 – ‘Felt like I never left’ – Suryakumar Yadav’s 17-ball fifty dispel the doubts

If Rohit Sharma is Mumbai cha raja (king of Mumbai), Suryakumar is Surya dada (elder brother) for the MI followers. “Ekach vaada, Surya dada [Only one promise, Surya brother!]” chanted a gaggle of followers of their twenties as they made their option to the Wankhede Stadium. “SKY for the sky” learn a poster by one other supporter. The lynchpin of Mumbai’s batting commanded help even when he had performed just one match – for a two-ball duck – since coming back from a four-and-a-half-month damage layoff.

It was solely a four-ball wait earlier than SKY opened up. He flicked Akash Deep, taking part in his first IPL match as a capped India cricketer, by midwicket earlier than pummeling him for 3 sixes – together with his trademark supla shot over deep-backward sq. leg.

Suryakumar didn’t spare the skilled Reece Topley both, taking 18 with three fours and a six within the bowler’s third over. Having seen Suryakumar’s on-side prowess earlier, Topley’s try to bowl broad from his hitting arc was an comprehensible ploy. However the Mumbai batter managed to get below one such size ball and carved it over deep level for half a dozen.

Suryakumar has achieved all of it earlier than – accessing components of the bottom that appeared close to unimaginable. However after being sidelined for a prolonged interval – first with an ankle damage after which due to sports activities hernia – the one query was if he may get his contact again. However in smashing a 17-ball half-century – the joint second-fastest for MI within the IPL historical past – in a high-octane chase, Suryakumar dispelled any doubts in a flash.

“When the event began, I used to be mentally right here however bodily [at the National Cricket Academy] in Bangalore,” Suryakumar advised the host broadcaster after the match. “After I got here right here, it felt like I by no means left. When chasing 200 at Wankhede, it is very important know the dew issue. Whether it is there, then it’s important to take your probabilities.

“I simply attempt to play the sector, I’ve practised these pictures lots. It’s simply in my muscle reminiscence – I am going and luxuriate in it. The slice over level for six I loved essentially the most.”

Suryakumar’s routine throughout rehab was “boring” however as he inched nearer to returning to aggressive cricket, his motivation elevated. He’s by no means one to draw back from the highlight and needed his comeback to be a bit totally different. With an impactful knock as Influence Participant on Thursday, he ensured that his return to the runs didn’t fly below the radar.

Suryakumar loved each little bit of his one hour on the sector. After his dismissal, he had a large smile as he acknowledged the gang – helmet off and arms aloft – as he made his approach off the bottom. He knew {that a} second win was assured for Mumbai after his 19-ball 52 – that featured 5 fours and 4 sixes – introduced down the asking price to only a shade over three per over.

After the sport, Suryakumar revealed that he by no means faces Jasprit Bumrah within the nets as a result of “he both breaks my bat or my foot!” Suryakumar versus Bumrah final performed out within the open in IPL 2017, when the previous was with Kolkata Knight Riders.

It’s a loss for followers that they might by no means get to observe these two superstars pitted in opposition to one another on the peak of their powers.