Suryakumar Yadav Silences Doubts with Masterclass as India Crush New Zealand
Shivam Dube hails SKY’s explosive fifty as proof of his world No.1 T20 status ahead of home World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav finally unleashed his trademark flair, smashing a match-winning half-century that reminded everyone why he is widely regarded as the world’s premier T20 batter. In the second T20I in Raipur, the Indian captain anchored an unbeaten 81-run partnership with Shivam Dube to chase down New Zealand’s challenging 209-run total with ease. The knock marked Suryakumar’s first fifty-plus score in 23 innings, silencing critics just weeks before the T20 World Cup begins on home soil.
Shivam Dube, who shared the crease with his Mumbai teammate, was full of praise for the innings. “I was asked about Surya’s form in a press conference not so long ago. That’s when I said that he is the type of player, when he will show his form, the world will know what type of player he is. So, today he showed Suryakumar Yadav, why he is the number one T20 batter,” Dube said after the match. “I enjoyed a lot. And it felt really good to see him.”
The chase was set up brilliantly by Ishan Kishan, who blasted a fiery 76 off just 32 balls in his comeback series. Dube described Kishan as “one of the best left-handers” and a “small pocket blast” in the dressing room, noting how the wicketkeeper-batter carried forward his strong domestic form. “He knows what he can do. He showed it tonight,” Dube added.
Also Read: SKY Stands Firm: “Can’t Change My Identity” Amid Poor Form Slump
Dube himself played a crucial cameo, scoring 36 off 18 balls while batting ahead of Hardik Pandya to maintain the left-right combination. The surface was described as a “batting beauty” with heavy dew making life difficult for bowlers in the second innings. Apart from his batting, Dube has been regularly used as a sixth bowling option. On Friday, he delivered a key breakthrough by dismissing dangerous New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell with a well-executed slower ball.
Dube credited the support from captain and coach for his growing role with the ball. “Hard work has been put in. But it is important that the captain and the coach support me. They have backed me a lot,” he said. “As a sixth bowler, whatever I get—two, three or four overs—I will try to bowl according to the situation.”
India’s clinical chase and all-round performances have boosted confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup, with Suryakumar’s return to form emerging as a major positive for the hosts.
Also Read: INDvsNZ 3rd ODI: Daryl Mitchell Nears Century as NZ Dominate India
