Suryakumar Yadav

The new Mr. 360, Suryakumar Yadav (aka SkY), has taken the TATA IPL by storm with his 360-degree strokeplay and ability to score at a breakneck pace. The Mumbai Indians batter has been one of the most consistent performers over the last few seasons and has established himself as a vital cog in the team's middle order.

Suryakumar made his IPL debut in 2012 but scored only 600-odd IPL runs in his first 55 IPL matches till 2017. It was only from 2018 that he became a force to reckon with in the playing XI. Since 2018, he has aggregated 2641 runs in 84 matches. His tally includes 21 fifties with a best of 103*. Suryakumar's most impactful season came in 2023 when he scored 605 runs at an average of 43.21 despite Mumbai Indians crashing out in the second qualifier.

This kind of stat is not very popular, but it stands to reason that SkY’s first ball strike rate is the highest in IPL history because he tends to get off the mark with a boundary, often behind square on the leg side.

In the TATA IPL auction, Suryakumar was bought back by Mumbai Indians for Rs 8 crore in 2022. Off the field, Suryakumar lives in Mumbai with his wife Devisha Shetty.

Suryakumar's IPL exploits have also earned him a regular spot in the Indian T20I team. Since making his international debut in 2021, he has scored 2141 runs in 60 T20Is at an average of 45.55 and strike rate of 171.55. He is currently the top-ranked T20I batter in the world.

At 33, Suryakumar is at the peak of his powers and will look to continue his rich vein of form in the upcoming IPL seasons. With his innovative stroke play and ability to score all around the ground, he will be a key player for Mumbai Indians as they aim to bounce back to win a title that has eluded them since 2020. Suryakumar's performances will also be crucial to India's chances in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

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