Suryakumar Yadav went on a six-hitting spree against his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate in the 44th over of the second ODI. Suryakumar smashed Cameron Green for four consecutive sixes to up the ante after a few quiet overs at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore which has short boundaries.
On the first ball, Suryakumar played his trademark pick-up shot to clear the backward square leg boundary with ease. Second ball, he moved across and scooped it fine for a 55-metre six. Green decided to change the line and bowled it wide. Suryakumar leaned into the shot and lofted it over deep extra cover for another maximum. Next ball, Suryakumar played another flick shot and cleared the deep mid-wicket boundary without breaking a sweat.
At one point, it looked like he would hit six sixes in an over. But Green pitched it short and wide. He did not offer much pacer to Suryakumar as he scampered for a single. On the same delivery, KL Rahul survived a run-out chance. 26 runs were scored from Green's eighth over.
Despite the beating Green got, Steve Smith gave him another over. Suryakumar hit him for two consecutive fours. In the next over bowled by Sean Abbott, Suryakumar reached his half-century from just 24 balls. He hit Abbott for two fours and a six in the over. He lost steam towards the end as India posted 399/5, their highest score against Australia in the format.
He remained unbeaten for 72 runs from 37 balls. He smashed six sixes and as many fours in his thunderous knock.
The 33-year-old has been in good form in the ODI format. Amid criticism, he scored a half-century against Australia in the first ODI of the series in Mohali.