'Ordinary' is not an adjective that one usually associates with Suryakumar Yadav. The swashbuckling middle-order has set the highest stage alight with his outrageously inventive yet consistently effective strokeplay in the shortest format of the game. When it comes to the 50-over format, however, Suryakumar, is yet to exhibit a similar level of proficiency, and his record, which includes three consecutive golden ducks against Australia in March 2023, is well and truly 'ordinary'. (IND vs AUS Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
But in an inspired moment of brilliance, Suryakumar, or 'SKY' as he is affectionately called, on Friday showed what he is capable of on the cricket field. The moment was conjured not from his weapon of choice, but was memorable nevertheless.
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In the 40th over of the Australia innings, SKY ran Cameron Green out with a reflex-action throw that brought down the stumps at the non-striker's end. An edge off Green's bat had trickled down to deep third, and the batter had completed one and was charging down for the second when he saw that his partner Josh Inglis was stationary.
Caught stranded, Green tried to scamper back to safety as the throw came in from the deep. The throw was wide, but SKY was alert enough to back up and picked up the ball, flung himself forward and flicked it onto the stumps in one fell swoop. Green could only watch in disbelief as he was found well short of his ground.
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The video of the dismissal has gone viral, and fans can't stop marvelling at SKY's sharp cricketing brains. You can watch the video below.
The confidence from the smart dismissal rubbed off on SKY's batting, as he came up with a confident half century, his first in 20 ODI innings, that helped take India to a five-wicket victory in the first ODI against Australia in Mohali. The knock brought a lot of relief to the Indian camp ahead of the all-important World Cup, as an in-form Suryakumar can spell doom for any opposition team's plans in the limited-overs game.
The hosts would thus be hoping for similar displays from the flamboyant batter in the coming two matches against Australia in Indore and Rajkot, respectively.
