Suryakumar Yadav becomes the fifth MI batsman to reach the 2000-run mark in the IPL.
Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav has performed well in the IPL 2022 edition, despite missing the first two IPL matches, has scored 290 runs batted in at a 48.33 average and a 147.20 strike rate, all this while seeing his team remain at the 10th spot in the tournament points table.
However, after 8 losses on a trot, MI finally tasted victory as they defeated RR by five wickets at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. MI chased down 159 with 4 balls to spare thanks to Singapore hitter Tim David's quick-fire 20-run knock-off 9 balls.
With the aid of five fours and two sixes, Yadav was the top scorer for MI with 51 runs off 39 balls and was named the Player of the Match as well.
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After the match ended, an excited Suryakumar Yadav was spotted chatting with his family members who were applauding for him from the viewers' area, and in a video shared by MI, can be seen waving to his family and appeared to be in a good mood.
Yadav had more reasons to smile than just playing a game-winning knock for his side under duress. In the cash-rich T20 competition, the 31-year-old became the second-fastest batsman to score 2000 runs for MI. While Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was the first to reach the 2000-run barrier in 63 innings, Yadav required 66 innings to reach the record.
He also became the fifth MI batsman to reach the 2000-run mark in the IPL. The other four hitters to reach the milestone are Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Here is the video:
(With IndiaToday inputs)