In a spectacular display of batting prowess, Indian cricket star Suryakumar Yadav notched up his fourth T20I International century during the 3rd T20I against South Africa at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday. This remarkable achievement places him in elite company, sharing the feat with fellow Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma.
Suryakumar’s century came off just 55 balls, showcasing his aggressive yet elegant style of play. The innings included seven boundaries and an impressive eight sixes, marking his second century in the T20I format for the year 2023. This places him alongside Rohit Sharma as the only two Indians with four T20I centuries, leaving the next best, KL Rahul, with two centuries.
What sets Suryakumar apart is the fact that all his T20I centuries have been scored while batting in the middle order, a unique achievement compared to Rohit Sharma and Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, who have notched up centuries as openers. Maxwell, the only non-Indian in the exclusive club, also boasts four T20I centuries.
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav now joins Rohit Sharma as the second Indian captain to score a T20I century while leading the team. Rohit Sharma, with two T20I centuries as captain, had previously held this distinction alone.
Adding to his impressive international record, Suryakumar’s century in Johannesburg marks his third T20I century outside India, following stellar performances in Nottingham and Mount Maunganui. His initial century was recorded in Rajkot against Sri Lanka, showcasing his ability to deliver outstanding performances on both home and foreign soil.
Suryakumar Yadav’s consistent and impactful performances continue to solidify his position as a key player in India’s T20I squad. As he etches his name alongside cricketing greats like Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, the future looks bright for this dynamic middle-order batsman, and fans eagerly anticipate more breathtaking innings on the international stage.