Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav returned to form, playing only his second game of the season, as he scored a brilliant fifty against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hitting the ball all over the park, Surya once again proved why he is called the modern Mr. 360 in the world of T20 cricket. In addition, TSurya Kumar, the world number one batsman in the shortest format, attributed his brave shots against Royal Challengers Bangalore to “muscle memory” and constant practice at the nets. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

Surya Kumar scored 52 off 19 balls with four sixes and five fours to help Mumbai Indians chase down RCB’s target of 197 runs in just 15.3 overs.

“I just try to play the field. I practice those shots. It’s in my muscle memory,” Surya Kumar said after MI’s seven-wicket win in the IPL on Thursday night.

Asked about his favorite shot in the match against RCB, he said, “I think all the shots. Slice over point was my favourite.” Surya Kumar was playing in his second match of this IPL after recovering from sports hernia surgery.

“It’s always good to be back in Wankhede. It was great to be in the squad. Mentally I was here, just physically in Bangalore (for rehabilitation at NCA).

“Coming to Wankhede, chasing 200, it’s important to take a chance if it’s there,” said the 33-year-old.

Suryakumar Yadav has not faced Jaspreet in the nets for 2-3 years.

Asked about Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, Surya Kumar said, “It’s always good to have Jasprit with you. It’s been 2-3 years, Jasprit has never batted in the nets. Either he Breaks my bat or my foot.” About Ishan Kishan, who scored 69 off just 34 balls, he said, “That’s what we told him. Just go out and enjoy, his intentions are great. He’s enjoying the fruits.” Later in an interview with ‘JioCinema’, Surya Kumar said that whenever he comes out to bat, he will try to see how he can change the game.

“I think about the shots I play in advance, because I have practiced all of them at the nets. I try to make sure that I bat according to the situation of the game. If The game is moving slowly so I wonder how I can possibly speed it up.

“Whenever I go in to bat, I always try to see how I can change the game and control it with my skills,” he said.

On MI’s performance so far, he said, “I think the train was always on track, it just took a while to get going. It’s fine, we’re coming back and finding our rhythm.

“It feels great to win two games in a row at the Wankhede. It gives us a lot of confidence and it has improved the atmosphere in the team.” Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said the sky is the limit for Surya Kumar when he bats at his best.

“When his mind is free, he just lets loose. The sky’s the limit when he bats like that,” Watson said.

“When he’s in the kind of form he showed tonight, the poor bowler, nobody can bowl anywhere.

“He has incredible awareness of the field but then the ability to manipulate the ball into those gaps, it’s a strange thing. Mumbai Indians are very lucky to have him.”

With input from PTI