Mumbai Indians proved to be a difficult hiccup within the Gujarat Titans` bid to seal the highest spot within the 2023 IPL standings, with the Indians beating the Titans by 27 runs on Friday night on the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
It was a SKY present as Suryakumar Yadav placed on a blinding show with the bat, scoring 103 runs (49b, 11×4, 6×6) to catapult Mumbai to a complete rating of 218 runs.
Gujarat`s top-order collapse led to the run-chase slipping out of their fingers, even with a late burst from Rashid Khan scoring 79 runs (32b, 3×4, 10×6). This win offers Mumbai third place within the standings, bringing them nearer to finishing their season turnaround and clinching a playoff spot, whereas Gujarat holds a one-point lead over Chennai on the prime of the desk. (IPL 2023: MI Captain Rohit Sharma Wanted A Different Batting Order But Suryakumar Said ‘No’)
Yadav stole all of the limelight together with his sensational innings that led to his maiden century within the IPL. His influence propelled the Mumbai Indians to their fourth win in 5 matches, resulting in JioCinema IPL knowledgeable Zaheer Khan showering him with plaudits.
“The Surya which we know is back and getting better and better, especially at a crucial time. This time is going to be the most important for any team in the tournament because you`re getting to the business end of the tournament, it`s about going to the playoffs and putting your best foot forward. When you have Surya on song like this, anything can happen. Teams will be looking at the MI line-up carefully because he holds the key MI and their season.”
The batter affectionately known as `Sky` painted the Mumbai skyline with sixes over the Wankhede Stadium.
Suresh Raina was closely impressed with Yadav`s measure method to batting on the evening, “He plays with the psychology of the bowler. The way he smacked the ball around the ground. Today, he was batting with calmness once again. His approach was good, his intent was good, and look at the results. He hit the ball all around the ground for 103 runs in 49 balls, and he finished it off with his signature celebration.”
The Titans had a minuscule probability of pulling this win off after their top-order collapse, however Rashid Khan`s late barrage of sixes gave some last-minute leisure to followers. Khan praised the standout bowler for delivering with the bat.
“This was an outstanding knock by Rashid Khan. The game was almost well and truly done before he came to bat but he had other plans. This could have been a big win but Rashid Khan was in the way. To me, this is one of the best innings a lower middle-order batter has played in an IPL inning in a very long time. The kind of six-hitting we`ve seen was phenomenal.”
