India and Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav has recently recalled the on-field ‘stare’ battle between him and Virat Kohli during the IPL 2020 game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the UAE. He revealed that he was happy to have been sledged by none other than Kohli.

While chasing 165, Suryakumar Yadav smashed an unbeaten 79 to help Mumbai Indians win a tight game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, during the innings, Virat Kohli tried to distract Suryakumar Yadav with plenty of chats, but he was unmoved and did his job.

“It’s not just me, he goes hard at any batsman batting against him,” Suryakumar Yadav said about Kohli in a live chat on Mumbai Indians’ Instagram handle. “I was happy that he sledged me. It means even Kohli knew that if I bat on, we will win the match and if they got my wicket, then maybe they could slow us down and create a chance to win,” he shared.

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Suryakumar Yadav, however, has said that the staring was a heat of the moment thing, and he also said that he respected Virat Kohli.

“I am a cool and calm customer on the pitch, so I don’t get into these rivalries. But there was that moment in Abu Dhabi, so I guess that can go down as one,” he said.

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However, his stunning show in IPL 2020 earned him a place on the Indian team and he has done quite well whatever little chance he got there as well. On the other hand, in a recent Instagram chat with his fans recently, he referred to Virat Kohli as an inspiration and former India captain MS Dhoni as a ‘legend’. Moreover, when he was asked about his favourite moment so far in his cricketing career, Suryakumar Yadav named his debut game against England where he hit pacer Jofra Archer over the fine leg in his very first delivery he faced in international cricket.