The top-ranked batter in T20 Internationals, Suryakumar missed Mumbai’s opening three games of the season while recuperating from surgery for a sports hernia and an ankle injury.
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Although the 33-year-old is almost certain to make the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies, he was dismissed for a duck in his opening game of the season to the Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
But in Thursday’s home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Suryakumar was back to his best, hitting 52 off 19 balls in an innings that featured four sixes.
Mumbai seized control as Jasprit Bumrah (5-21) held Bengaluru to 196-8. Ishan Kishan (69) and Rohit Sharma (38) amassed 101 runs in nine overs.
“Chasing (around) 200 at the Wankhede, it’s important to know if there is any dew factor,” Suryakumar said after Mumbai cruised to a seven-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare.
“If it is, you got to take your chances and that’s what we did today.
“When we passed the 10th over, the game was all set by Ishan and Rohit. We knew we had to finish early for that net run-rate thing.”
A sliced six off Reece Topley over deep point and a scoop from beyond the off-stump that raced to the fine leg boundary were among Suryakumar’s unconventional shot-making displays.
“I practise these shots a lot, it’s in my muscle memory now,” he said.
Bumrah won player of the match thanks to his outstanding bowling, and Suryakumar is glad they are on the same team.
“It’s been two to three years that I’ve never batted against Jasprit in the nets,” Suryakumar said of his Mumbai and India team mate.
“Either he breaks my bat, or my foot.”
(With Reuters inputs)