Suryakumar’s ends 468-day wait with 23-ball fifty seals India's win

Suryakumar Yadav ended a 468-day drought with a 23-ball fifty, scoring 82* to lead India’s 209 chase vs New Zealand with 28 balls to spare

Raipur witnessed a commanding display from India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who ended a prolonged lean patch with a scintillating half-century against New Zealand in the second T20I on Friday. His unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, decorated with nine boundaries and four sixes, powered India to a comfortable chase of 209 with 28 balls to spare.

Walking in after early setbacks—Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson fell cheaply—Suryakumar steadied the innings with composure before unleashing his trademark aggression. He reached his fifty in just 23 balls, marking his first half-century in 23 T20I innings and breaking a drought that stretched 468 days since his last fifty against Bangladesh in October 2024. The milestone carried emotional weight, with the skipper acknowledging the moment by touching the ground in relief.

His knock also etched him into the record books, joining KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan among the fastest fifties by Indians against New Zealand in T20Is. Kishan, returning to the side, provided the perfect foil with a blistering 76 off 32 balls. Together, the duo stitched a 123-run stand that swung momentum decisively in India’s favour.

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Later, Suryakumar combined with Shivam Dube, who chipped in with an unbeaten 36 off 18 deliveries. Their 81-run partnership sealed the chase emphatically, underlining India’s dominance.
Earlier in the evening, New Zealand posted 208 for 6 on a batting-friendly surface. Rachin Ravindra (44) and skipper Mitchell Santner (47 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking, but India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav with two crucial strikes, ensured the visitors did not run away with the game.

In the end, Suryakumar’s authoritative innings not only silenced doubts over his form but also reaffirmed his stature as India’s premier T20 batter, guiding the team to a resounding win and levelling the series in style.

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