The sensational Suryakumar Yadav displayed his unmatched superiority in the shortest format with a blistering hundred as Team India outclassed New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 on Sunday. Surya struck a sensational 111 not out off 51 balls for his second T20 century and fired India to 191 for six.
Suryakumar's blitzkrieg caught Virat Kohli's attention, who has been given rest for the three-match T20I series. Following his lightning knock, Kohli posted a tweet for the star India batter which set the Internet ablaze.
Kohli, taking to Twitter to praise Suryakumar, wrote: "Numero Uno showing why he's the best in the world. Didn't watch it live but I'm sure this was another video game innings by him."
Suryakumar however failed to equal Kohli's all-time India record of highest ever score by a batter of the Men in Blue. His unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in Asia Cup tops the list, while Suryakumar's 111* stands fourth on the list.
Promoted to number three, the 32-year-old toyed with the bowlers to lift India to a challenging total after New Zealand put the visitors in to bat.
He smashed boundaries and sixes at will, his last 64 runs coming off just 18 balls. His entertaining innings had 11 fours and seven sixes and his strike rate was an incredible 217.64.
New Zealand bowlers appeared clueless as Surya kept strung together some extraordinary shots. The hosts kept losing wickets in the run chase and never looked in hunt. In the end, New Zealand were all out for 126 in 18.5 overs.
With first game being washed out, India now lead the three match series 1-0 with the final game to be played on Tuesday.
New Zealand were dealt a setback at the start of the chase when the dangerous Finn Allen went for an expansive drive off a Bhuvneshwar Kumar outswinger only to be caught at third man.
Opener Devon Conway (25 off 22) and skipper Kane Williamson (61 off 52) stitched a 56-run stand but could not find the big hits that were needed to keep up with the asking rate.
Conway was caught at deep backward square leg while going for the sweep against Washington Sundar. The big hitting Glenn Phillips had to do something special to bring New Zealand back in the game.
He made his intentions clear with a crisp slog sweep off Yuzvendra Chahal that went all the way but two ball later, the same shot led to his downfall.
With New Zealand struggling to 89 for five in the 14th over, the game was as good as over.
It was a good comeback game Yuzvendra Chahal (2/26) who surprisingly did not get a single game in the recent World Cup. Part time off-spinner Deepak Hooda struck thrice in the 19th over and ended up with a four wicket haul. Skipper Hardik Pandya did not bowl.
