India all-rounder Shivam Dube did not hide his sense of satisfaction while speaking about captain Suryakumar Yadav after India’s emphatic win over New Zealand in the Raipur T20I. Having publicly backed Suryakumar during a prolonged lean patch, Dube admitted it was immensely pleasing to see that belief rewarded on a record-setting night for Team India.
India sealed a dominant seven-wicket victory in the second T20I against New Zealand, and while the result gave them a firm grip on the series, the spotlight firmly belonged to the skipper’s long-awaited return to form. For Dube, the innings felt personal, having stood by Suryakumar when questions around his form were at their loudest.
“First of all, I remember that I was asked in a previous press conference about Surya’s form,” Shivam Dube said after the match.
“I said then that Suryakumar Yadav is such a player — when he’s in form, the world knows what he’s capable of. So today, he reminded everyone why he is the number one T20 batter. I enjoyed that a lot.”
WATCH – Bangladesh Sports Advisor Hints At Uncertain T20 World Cup Fate Amid India Standoff
Once Ishan Kishan’s breathtaking 76 came to an end, Suryakumar took complete control of the chase. The India captain dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack with an authoritative 82 off just 37 balls, blending innovation with precision in a knock that felt vintage in every sense. More importantly, it ended a 468-day wait for an international half-century, marking a significant turning point in his comeback narrative.
Dube, who shares a close dressing-room bond with Suryakumar, recalled his comments from December 2025, when he had confidently predicted that the batter’s rhythm would soon return. Watching that confidence translate into such a commanding performance was a moment of genuine joy for the all-rounder, who described it as one of the highlights of the evening.
Suryakumar later explained that patience and preparation had been central to his resurgence. Time away from competitive cricket, he suggested, allowed him to reset mentally, sharpen his decision-making, and reconnect with the instincts that define his T20 batting.
The Raipur chase was historic on several fronts. India overhauled New Zealand’s 209-run target in just 15.2 overs, breaking Pakistan’s record for the fastest successful 200-plus chase in T20Is among full-member nations. The hosts finished with 28 balls to spare, surpassing Pakistan’s earlier benchmark of 24 deliveries remaining, also set against New Zealand.
ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav ‘Angry’ At Ishan Kishan In Powerplay As India Cruise To Big T20I Win
It was India’s joint-highest successful T20I chase, equalling their 209-run pursuit against Australia in 2023. Overall, India has now completed six successful chases of 200 or more in T20Is, second only to Australia.
From a shaky 6 for 2 inside the first two overs, the match swung decisively through a blistering 122-run partnership between Kishan and Suryakumar off just 48 balls. That stand not only changed the course of the game but sent a clear message — India’s firepower is peaking at exactly the right time.
