Suryakumar Yadav picks Perth fifty in T20 World Cup 2022 as 'defining knock' of his career

The flamboyant middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav has been exceptional in the limited time he has played in international cricket. In the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the 32-year-old smashed 239 runs from six innings and ended up as the third-leading run-scorer of the tournament. So far, he has played multiple match-defining knocks for India, including sensational centuries against England and New Zealand in 2022.

However, in an interview with the Indian Express, Yadav picked his half-century against South Africa in the T20 World Cup to be his best knock to date. Stating the reason, the middle-order star revealed that the Perth pitch was extremely difficult to bat and he has never seen something quite like that.

“I think that half-century against South Africa in Perth was the defining knock for me. It was the most challenging wicket I have faced till date. Before the game, I went to bat in the nets for 15 minutes and I got the feeling of Perth there itself. The practice pitches were quick. So I faced a mere 15 balls and told Vicky paaji (batting coach Vikram Rathod) that I am done for the day, whatever batting is to be done will be done in the match,” Yadav told in the interview.

When we were 49 for 5, we had nothing to lose: Suryakumar Yadav

When all the other Indian batters struggled to even connect the ball, the Mumbai cricketer rose to the occasion and played an unbelievable knock against the quality bowling attack of the Proteas. After India lost five quick wickets, the 32-year-old was under extreme pressure but took the challenge and scored 68 runs off 40 deliveries to rescue India from an embarrassing situation. This reason also played a role while choosing his favourite knock.

“When I went in to bat, I told myself that this pitch is quicker than I thought. So, when I went to the non-striker’s end, I kept thinking which shots I could play as there was bounce too. When we were 49 for 5, we had nothing to lose. We could have got all out for 75, but I decided to take the positive route,” the cricketer further added. However, despite his best efforts, team India lost the match by five wickets.