Will Suryakumar Celebrate His First POTM Award After 13 Matches?

Mumbai, May 22 (NationPress) In an exceptional Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Suryakumar Yadav has risen as the leading run-scorer for the Mumbai Indians, consistently achieving scores above 25 in 12 consecutive matches. His wife, Devisha, pointed out a surprising fact—the batsman renowned for his 360-degree strokes had yet to receive a Player of the Match award.

On Wednesday, Suryakumar corrected that oversight by scoring a magnificent 73 runs off 43 balls on a pitch that was somewhat slow and offered assistance to spinners. His performance propelled the Mumbai Indians to a total of 180/5, setting the stage for a decisive 59-run win over Delhi Capitals in Match 63 of IPL 2025 at Wankhede Stadium. This innings also matched the record for the most consecutive 25-plus scores in T20 cricket, tying him with Temba Bavuma at 13 matches.

Suryakumar and Naman Dhir combined to score 48 runs in the final two overs, boosting Mumbai Indians from a precarious position of 132/5 to a formidable 180, providing their bowlers with a solid target to defend.

Mitchell Santner (3-11) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-12) played pivotal roles, helping the five-time champions dismiss Delhi Capitals for just 121 runs, securing a 59-run victory and clinching the fourth and final playoff spot. Suryakumar was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution.

“It’s been thirteen games now, and my wife shared a lovely story. She mentioned that while I have received many awards, the POTM award eluded me. It feels truly special to earn it today. This performance was crucial for the team. I dedicate this trophy to her, and it was essential for me to bat until the end,” said Suryakumar Yadav while accepting the accolade.

The 34-year-old batsman currently stands third in the Orange Cap race with 583 runs, trailing behind Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan (617) and Shubman Gill (601). He mentioned that they plan to celebrate this achievement with a large cake.

“She anticipates these moments, and we celebrate them at home, so I’m really looking forward to it. It was vital for a single player to remain at the crease until the end; we knew a substantial over was on the horizon. The energy Naman brought into the innings was fantastic,” Suryakumar added.

Delhi Capitals' stand-in captain, Faf du Plessis, acknowledged that while they performed well in the field, they were disappointed with their batting performance, which led to their defeat.

He stated that his bowlers executed their plans well for most of the match but were outdone by the way Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir scored nearly 50 runs in the last two overs.

“Momentum is crucial in cricket. The way they counter-attacked to score almost 50 runs in the final two overs undid the hard work of the first 17-18 overs, and we lost that momentum. It felt like a David and Goliath situation. I enjoy such challenges as they allow us to play as a cohesive unit,” said the South African.

“It sums up our season—we have been inconsistent in either batting or bowling in the last seven or eight games. It’s perhaps a fair reflection that we did not qualify,” Faf expressed.

He also admitted that Delhi Capitals missed their regular captain and premier spinner, Axar Patel, on this challenging wicket.

“Axar would have thrived on a surface like this, especially with Mitchell Santner's impressive bowling. He is a proven international bowler who would have relished the opportunity. However, he was unwell. While Mitchell Starc is an exceptional bowler, having a spinner on such a pitch is invaluable. I firmly believe that momentum should never be taken for granted,” concluded Faf du Plessis.