Suryakumar - First Indian Batter to Win POTM Award in 2024 T20 World Cup

Suryakumar rules again! SKY becomes the first Indian batsman to get the Player of the Match Award in the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024.

The contest between India and Afghanistan brought the best performance by the ICC No.1 T20 batsman, Suryakumar Yadav aka SKY in the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024. Suryakumar presented the reason why he is the No.1 T20 batsman in the world.

Apart from being the savior for the Indian cricket team, scoring 53 runs, and taking the team towards a higher score, Suryakumar also becomes the first Indian batter to win the Player of the Match Award in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Right from India’s first contest in the T20 World Cup 2024, none of the batsmen had won the POTM Award before Suryakumar Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah won the POTM Awards in two matches, and Arshdeep Singh got the award in one contest.

In a match against the United States, Suryakumar Yadav scored 50* runs off 49 balls, hitting 2 fours, and 2 sixes at the strike rate of 102.04. Despite great batting, Suryakumar couldn’t get the Player of the Match Award since Arshdeep Singh outperformed him by taking 4 wickets at 9 runs in 4 overs at the economy rate of 2.20.

In the same contest, Arshdeep’s bowling held more significance since it restricted the US batsmen to score higher runs.

India vs Afghanistan, 43rd Match

In IND vs AFG, 43rd of the T20 World Cup 2024 contest, Suryakumar emerged as the star performer. India required a batsman who could salvage the day. Suryakumar Yadav, the ICC No.1 T20I batsman, helped add runs to the scoreboard.

Prior to Virat Kohli's departure, India was 62–3. Suryakumar produced a crucial half-century for the squad (53 off 28 balls). Hardik Pandya played responsible innings, scoring 32 runs. Suryakumar's outstanding performance makes him the first Indian batter to earn the POTM award in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan lost all their wickets and overs while attempting to score runs and reach the goal score of 134. Eventually, AFG fell against India by 47 runs.

The Afghan batsmen could confront the deadly bowling from Bumrah and Jasprit.

Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah captured three wickets each. Bumrah's bowling abilities are remarkable; he conceded only 7 runs, claimed three wickets in four overs, and delivered one maiden over at an economy rate of 1.80.

Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja grabbed one, two, and one wicket each. Only Hardik Pandya was unable to take a wicket.

Suryakumar Yadav T20I Stats

Suryakumar started his T20I career in 2021 and has played 64 matches and 61 innings till now. Suryakumar has made his mark in his short career by scoring 2253 runs, with an average and strike rate of 45.06 and 168.51 respectively.

Suryakumar’s highest T20I score is 117 against England in the India tour of England, 2022 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The ICC No.1 batsman has 4 centuries, 19 half-centuries, 200 fours and 128 sixes in his account.

Most Player of the Match Awards in T20Is

SKY holds the record for winning the most Player of the Match Awards in the T20I matches. During his T20I career, 2021-2024, Suryakumar has played 64 matches and has won 15 POTM Awards.

Suryakumar is followed by modern-day cricketing legend Virat Kohli, who has 15 T20I POTM Awards but in a 14-year career and 121 matches.

Suryakumar has achieved a lot in his career span of just 3 years. More days to come, more matches to play, more records to shatter, and more glory to be made.

Also read - India Maintains Its Winning Streak, Defeats AFG Yesterday