Suryakumar Yadav Overcomes Virat Kohli's Record

Suryakumar Yadav, India's dynamic T20 batter, showcased his extraordinary prowess by equalling Virat Kohli's all-time T20I record in the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Afghanistan. In a stellar display of batting, Yadav scored a brilliant half-century, reinforcing his position as the No. 1 T20 batter in the world.

Coming in at a critical juncture with early departures of key players like Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, Yadav crafted a formidable partnership with Hardik Pandya, propelling India to a competitive total of 181 runs in 20 overs. His 28-ball 53 was instrumental in India's 47-run victory over Afghanistan, earning him the Player of the Match award. This accolade marked the 15th time in his T20I career, equalling Virat Kohli's record but in nearly half the innings.

Most POTM awards in T20Is:

- Suryakumar Yadav: 15 (61 innings)

- Virat Kohli: 15 (113 innings)

Yadav's aggressive and innovative batting style, often referred to as "Mr. 360," left no part of the ground untouched. He thrived in the challenging middle overs, a phase he particularly enjoys and excels in.

"That's what I have practised; I enjoy batting from overs 7-15 because that's the most difficult phase where the opposition bowlers look to control things. I like to take charge in that phase, I enjoy it," Yadav shared during the innings break.

India's innings faced early turbulence with the loss of Rohit and Rishabh Pant, but a stabilising 43-run partnership between Pant and Kohli offered some respite before Rashid Khan's twin strikes. Despite the setbacks, Yadav's composed and aggressive play, backed by his instincts and experience under Rohit Sharma's leadership, steered India to a commanding position.

"I started chewing my gum harder when he (Kohli) got out. I just backed my game and my instincts. I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit Sharma) and now under him, he understands my game. He knows my game, so he sits back and enjoys it," Yadav explained.

India's unbeaten record in the group stage, with three wins and one match washed out against Canada, set the stage for their continued dominance in the Super 8. Afghanistan, coming off a heavy loss to West Indies, faced another tough defeat against the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma.

Yadav's remarkable performance not only highlighted his individual brilliance but also underscored India's formidable presence in the T20 World Cup 2024, bolstering their quest for the title.