Suryakumar’s Timely Return to Form
Suryakumar Yadav silenced his critics with a confidence-boosting 38 off 29 balls in a rain-truncated T20I against Australia in Canberra. The world’s top-ranked T20 batter showcased his trademark 360-degree strokeplay, hitting 4 fours and a six, before persistent showers forced abandonment.
The knock comes after a lean patch in the series opener, easing concerns about India’s middle-order stability ahead of the T20 World Cup. “Wanted to back my instincts,” said SKY post-match.
Match Highlights: India 130/4 Before Washout
- Powerplay Start: Gaikwad (23) and Jaiswal (25) gave India a 45-run foundation
- Middle-Overs Struggle: 3 quick wickets slowed momentum before Suryakumar-Rinku (16*) partnership
- Rain Intervenes: Match called off after 13 overs; DLS couldn’t be applied
Series Implications
For India:
✔ SKY’s form resurgence
✔ Rinku Singh’s finishing credibility (16* off 12)
❌ Death bowling remains concern
For Australia:
✔ Behrendorff/Zampa’s economical spells
❌ Missed chance to extend 1-0 lead
Fan Reactions & What’s Next
Twitter erupted with #SKYisBack trends, while memes flooded about “Canberra’s perfect timing.” The teams now head to Guwahati for the must-win 3rd T20I on November 28.
