India's swashbuckling middle-order Suryakumar Yadav produced another gem of an innings in T20Is and put on a masterclass of stroke-making enroute to a sensational 111 not out off 51 balls, firing India to 191 for six in the second game against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on November 20 (Sunday). Surya toyed with the bowlers to lift India to a challenging total after New Zealand put the visitors in to bat.
Surya came at number three in Virat Kohli's absence and smashed boundaries and sixes at will, his last 64 runs coming off just 18 balls. It might not look simple to the naked eye but in his own words, Surya kept it 'simple' and executed his amazing range of strokes as per the field placements.
If the spinners pitched it full on off stump, he was happy to play the inside-out shot over cover and when the faster bowlers targeted his stumps on a good length, he helped the ball sail past fine leg for a bunch of sixes. In total, Surya collected 11 fours and seven sixes.
He brought up his second century off 49 balls with an aerial drive that went wide of sweeper cover.
Surya went berserk in the penultimate over bowled by Lockie Ferguson, hammering four boundaries and a phenomenal six over deep point. The fast bowler had clearly run out of ideas with Surya on song. The last five overs yielded 72 runs.
(With PTI inputs)