One of the main reasons behind Mumbai Indians (MI) managing to keep their hopes to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs alive is the form of Suryakumar Yadav. After a quiet start to the tournament in the wake of that unwanted hat-trick of ducks, Suryakumar roared back to form and eventually amassed his maiden IPL ton as well. En route to that unbeaten 49-ball 103, the MI star had struck a ridiculous six over the point region with Sachin Tendulkar’s reaction to it stealing the show.
Suryakumar Kumar, recalling that shot and the viral reaction, made a million-dollar revelation. It was against the match against Gujarat Titans (GT) last week at the Wankhede Stadium when Suryakumar struck that outrageous shot.
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It was pitched up by Shami and was well outside the off as Suryakumar shuffled down the track and executed the ridiculous shot. An initial look at it showed he was probably attempting a lofted cover drive, but it was rather the magic of Suryakumar that carried the shot high over deep point for a six.
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As the shot went viral all over the internet leaving veterans utterly flabbergasted at it, so did MI mentor Sachin’s reaction to it. Sitting in the dugout at the Wankhede, Sachin was seen emulating the shot, probably explaining it to himself, as he gestured it with his hand.
Speaking to JioCinemas ahead of the start of Mumbai’s penultimate league game, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium, Suryakumar opened up on the shot and Sachin’s reaction explaining that he had played it a million times on head before. He also added that he knew where Shami was going to deliver and hence he was set to make that attempt.
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As per the quotes in Hindustan Times, Suryakumar Yadav said, “I have played that shot many times in my mind already. I always try to play the field. At that moment, the ball was wet and they had little options in hand…I knew that they would go for that yorker length and I was ready for that because I have played against him before. I have actually played this shot before as well, but not that fine. It went towards the point region.”
