In the first T20I of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, India’s middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav reached a significant milestone. He matched Virat Kohli’s all-time record in T20 internationals, achieving this in nearly half the number of innings compared to Kohli.
Appointed as India’s full-time T20I captain for the series, Suryakumar led the team to a commanding 43-run victory in the opening game on July 27. This victory was a strong debut for new head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Suryakumar scored an impressive 58 runs off 26 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, contributing to India’s total of 213/7 in their 20 overs. Key contributions also came from Rishabh Pant (49), Yashasvi Jaiswal (40), and Shubman Gill (34), all helping the team surpass the 200-run mark.
Suryakumar Yadav Equals Virat Kohli’s Record
Suryakumar Yadav was awarded Player of the Match for his exceptional performance at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. This marked his 16th Player of the Match accolade in T20 internationals, tying him with Virat Kohli for the most in the format.
Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is last month, also accumulated 16 Player of the Match awards, concluding his T20I career with this achievement in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Kohli’s 16 awards came from 125 T20I matches, while Suryakumar Yadav has matched this record in just 69 games.
Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwe T20I captain, holds third place with 15 Player of the Match awards. Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma of India, and Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh each have 14 such honors.
Most Player of the Match awards in T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (India) – 16 (in 69 matches)
Virat Kohli (India) – 16 (in 125 matches)
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 15 (in 91 matches)
Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – 14 (in 129 matches)
Rohit Sharma (India) – 14 (in 159 matches)
Suryakumar Yadav debuted in T20Is in 2021 and has since been a key player for Team India. The right-handed batter reached the top spot in the ICC rankings last year. He has scored 2398 runs in 69 T20I matches at an average of 43.60 and a strike rate of 168.75, including four centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Riyan Parag Takes Three Wickets With The Ball
In the match, Sri Lanka appeared to be in control, needing only 74 runs from 36 balls with nine wickets in hand and a score of 140/1 after 14 overs. However, the Indian bowlers tightened their grip and adapted effectively to the slow pitch, dismissing nine Sri Lankan batters for just 30 runs.
Spinners Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Riyan Parag dismantled the Sri Lankan lineup, each taking two wickets. Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj picked up one. The teams will face off again in the second T20I at the same venue on Sunday, July 28.
