India batsman Suryakumar Yadav recalled his face-off with India captain Virat Kohli during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, saying he was happy that the RCB skipper sledged him.
Kohli Suryakumar Yadav Clash in IPL 2020
Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli were involved in a staring contest during a crunch match in Abu Dhabi last year. It all started when Kohli was trying to unsettle Suryakumar who was taking the attack to RCB bowlers in MI’s chase of 165.
The incident came days after Suryakumar missed a berth in the India squad for the Australia tour last year.
The MI batsman looked like a man on a mission as he batted with a steely resolve. Despite losing early wickets, MI managed to seal a 5-wicket win. Suryakumar remained unbeaten and finished the chase on 79 off 43 balls with 3 sixes and 10 boundaries.
Kohli’s efforts had gone in vain as Suryakumar maintained his composure and did the job for Mumbai Indians.
“It’s not just me, he goes hard at any batsman batting against him. 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,” Suryakumar said during an Instagram live session with Mumbai Indians.
“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 added.
Notably, Suryakumar told Sports Tak earlier this year that the two-player left the incident on the field and greeted each other when they met after the match in Abu Dhabi.
“After the match, he was just normal. He said, ‘well played’ to everybody afterward. It was just in that moment (his staring incident with Virat Kohli). He also knew at that situation who was the key player in the opposition,” Suryakumar had said.
The Mumbai Indians batsman made his India debut earlier this year in the T20I series against England. Suryakumar made a fine early impression at the international level as he hit a fifty in his maiden batting innings at the highest level.
He looked at ease against the best in the business, hitting Jofra Archer for a six in the very first ball of his international cricket career.
