By Slogger
First publised on 2022-11-21 07:32:14
In an innings that will be remembered for long and talked about endlessly, Suryakumar Yadav hit a majestic century (111 runs off just 51 deliveries) in the second T20 match against New Zealand. Yadav, who is going through a purple patch, hit some breathtakingly awesome shots which showed how he has mastered the art of scoring fast, and big, against any type of bowling on almost any surface in the shortest format of the game. It also made a mockery of New Zealand field placing, although it is almost impossible to set a field against someone like Yadav when he is in such destructive form.
Taking the aerial route and against deliveries that were not bad, SKY found gaps and the boundary at will to hit as many as 11 boundaries and 7 sixes. Although many of the shots will not be found in coaching manuals, he also hit some perfect cricketing shots with enormous power. The beauty of his batting is that he gets into position so fast and adjusts the weight so correctly that it becomes difficult for a bowler to keep him quiet.
In the new scheme of things, Yadav was sent at the fall of the first wicket and hence got more deliveries to carry out his demolition act. It serves the team's purpose to have someone like Yadav coming in at number three. For, even if he fails to get a big score, he can thoroughly demoralise the opposition bowlers by going after them in his own inimitable style and making it easier for the batters who follow. Yadav showed in this match why he is now considered as the best batter (New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson also acknowledged the fact at the post-match presser) in the world in this format of the game.