"Suryakumar Yadav not being picked in the Indian side. He's saying everyone, look at me, look at me, I can play." - Harsha Bhogle.
Despite the Team India snub, Suryakumar Yadav seemed to be a man on a mission and continued to impress with the bat when he came out at number 3 for Mumbai Indians in the run chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday evening.
After Jasprit Bumrah's heroics restricted Virat Kohli's side to 164/6, Yadav took it upon himself to get MI over the finishing line. Yadav also known as Sky, kept the runs flowing hitting 10 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten and match-winning knock of 79 off 43 balls at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
However, there was a moment when the commentators maintained that the MI batters weren't putting enough pressure on the fielding side as they were "jogging" to complete singles, perhaps wanting to take the game to the final over.
But Sky was there all along and ensured that there was no late scare as he hit the winning boundary to take his side to yet another win. Riding on his brilliant performance, Mumbai Indians won the match with ease and 5 balls (5 wickets) to spare.
After smashing the winning four, Yadav gestured to his team in the dugout, almost saying: "I'm here, why fear?"
ICE COLD FINISH ❄️❄️ SKY IS LIT That Reaction Says It All Suryakumar Yadav ❤️#IPL2020 #MIvsRCB #MI #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #RCB #royalchallengersbangalore #Suryakumar #IPLinUAE pic.twitter.com/jfUxhywia0
— Napster (@NapsterVB) October 28, 2020
While many were impressed by the cool and calm display by Yadav, many others believed it was his disappointment over not donning the Team India jersey that was "visible".
That celebration and statement - Suryakumar Yadav has 40.22 average and 155.36 strike rate in #IPL2020. pic.twitter.com/b2JmwfluvO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 28, 2020
Dil jeet liya aapne bhai ❤️It's our loss not to have you in the Indian team, you are pure class @surya_14kumar #SuryakumarYadav#MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/KvAz1elrsQ
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) October 28, 2020
A message to the Selectors by #SuryakumarYadav - pic.twitter.com/bywqt7UPI3
— Memesahaab MI (@memesahaab) October 28, 2020
This Game was an Answer to all those selectors He is on a mission ❤️ My heart goes out to surya what a player #SuryakumarYadav #MIvsRCB @surya_14kumar ❤ pic.twitter.com/GOuAF6UQD6
— Peyarillan (@Peyarillan) October 28, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav's reaction after winning the game#டீம்MI #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/biIfdyyNuR
— தமிழன் (@iam_tamil45) October 28, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav's reaction after winning the game. He clearly isn't happy after being ignored from the selection of the Australian tour. pic.twitter.com/z0vktWkSYL
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 28, 2020
Great reaction from Suryakumar Yadav#IPL2020 #MI #MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/b1LNznIKiS
— Balaguru_Sivam (@Balaguru_Sivam) October 28, 2020
As for his seniors and cricket experts, people really want Yadav to be on that flight to Australia later this year.
Class inn yet again @surya_14kumar hope selectors are watching him play.. well played @mipaltan @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 28, 2020
Surya Kumar Yadav should’ve been on the flight to Australia. For the T20i series. #MI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 28, 2020
I wonder if Suryakumar Yadav fancies playing International cricket he might move overseas #CoughNZCough
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) October 28, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav what a pleasure to watch. #MIvRCB #SuryakumarYadav #IPL
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 28, 2020
Yadav has accumulated 362 runs in 12 matches in IPL 2020 at a strike rate of 155 while averaging over 40.