Mumbai Indians secured a comprehensive six wicket win over RCB thanks to Suryakumar’s superb 35-ball 83 and Nehal Wadhera’s undefeated 52.
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MI chased the 200 target with 21 balls to spare as Suryakumar hit seven fours and six sixes in his sensational effort while adding 140 runs for the third wicket on just 66 balls with Wadhera.
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MI vs RCB IPL 2023 Highlights: Suryakumar blitz propels Mumbai to third place
“I said Nehal, let’s hit hard and hit him in the holes and run hard. Your training should be the same as what you intend to do in matches,” Suryakumar said after the win.
“I know where my runs are. We have open sessions at the net. I know my game. I don’t do anything different.”
The 83 against RCB on Tuesday was Suryakumar’s highest IPL score. His previous record of 82 came in the 2021 IPL season. It was also Suryakumar’s fourth half this IPL season.
The 32-year-old mid-ranked hitter added that the RCB bowlers did their best to throw deliveries in areas where he had to work hard to hit the limits.
“Much needed (to win) from a team point of view. I’m very happy to win a home game like this. I mean they (RCB) made a plan. They tried to make me touch the biggest part (longer limits). Release the pace and play slow,” said Suryakumar, known for his 360-degree striking prowess.
Wadhera was also impressed with his senior player’s batting, saying some of his cricket shots are hard to mimic.
“Surya bhai is a top player and I also try to copy some of his shots but I can’t. While he was hitting I was talking to him and he was saying ‘keep playing, keep playing’ and he told me gave confidence,” Wadhera said.
“He said to me: ‘If we both beat until 15-16, we can finish the game even earlier. And that’s what we’ve done. The previous game I played against CSK, I played a scoop. Earlier I didn’t play, after seeing Surya bhai’s bat, I also learned from him and I’m very happy.
Promoted to No. 4, Wadhera hit his second fifty of the IPL season. The left-handed hitter hit four boundaries and three sixes to go 52 steps on 34 balls.
“It was fun to beat the order, earlier I was fighting. I had the opportunity to fight and I had the fifty in a row.
“I’m happy with my fifty but I’m happier that my team won and I hope we continue to do so. I have the confidence in me that if I keep hitting until the end I can finish the game for the team,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
