Cricket

Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav, known for his exceptional batting prowess, has unveiled the secrets behind his diverse range of shots, including the iconic 'offside scoop' and the popular 'Supla' shot.During Mumbai Indians' crucial victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Yadav showcased his mastery of the 'Supla' shot, a unique technique he developed while playing tennis ball cricket in Mumbai. The shot, which involves scooping the ball over the wicketkeeper's head, has become a trademark of Yadav's batting style."The name of the shot comes from the local tennis ball cricket that is played in Mumbai," Yadav explained. "When people started connecting with this shot, they gave it a name. It feels good to hear it being referred to as a 'Supla' shot."Yadav further elaborated on the origins of the 'Supla' shot, recalling his formative years playing rubber ball cricket with his school friends. "We used to play on hard cement tracks with a 20-meter boundary on the offside," he said. "We used to make the ball wet before bowling it hard, and they would bowl from my knee to my head. To score runs without getting hit, I developed this shot."Yadav's 'Supla' shot is a testament to his adaptability and creativity. "I try to take the ball on the body when I play the 'Supla' shot," he said. "I try to be in the line of the ball and time it. There's no premeditation in this. Even if it's the first ball, if I want to use it, I'll do it."Beyond the 'Supla' shot, Yadav has also mastered other unique shots, including the 'uppercut shot' and the 'jump shot'. His ability to execute these shots with precision and flair has made him one of the most exciting batsmen in the IPL.In the 2024 IPL season, Yadav has scored 334 runs with a strike rate of 176.71 through nine appearances. His season-high of 102* runs came in his last game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Mumbai Indians' star batter Suryakumar Yadav has rediscovered his blistering form, smashing a match-winning century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to revive his team's playoff hopes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.Yadav's 51-ball century was a masterclass in batting, rescuing Mumbai from a precarious 31/3 against Hyderabad on Monday. Partnering with Tilak Varma, Yadav unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, leaving the SRH bowlers helpless.The cricket world erupted in praise for Yadav's brilliance, with South African pacer Wayne Parnell jokingly suggesting a DNA test to explain his exceptional talent."Has anyone ever done a DNA test on @surya_14kumar? This guy is DIFFERENT, different," Parnell tweeted.Yadav's return to form is a timely boost for Mumbai, who have struggled for consistency this season. The Indian batter, ranked No. 1 in the ICC T20I rankings, proved his worth with a dominant display.Former India cricketers Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, and Parnell hailed Yadav's destructive knock."Surya Kumar Yadav's match-winning 100 for struggling MI is a show of character. By taking on Cummins before the World T20, he has made a strong statement," Kaif tweeted."Last game Surya Kumar Yadav scored half century and at the start till 15 balls he was literally playing with 100 strike rate and end up scoring at 160. Today also started responsibly. Commitment and skill," Pathan tweeted.Speaking after the match, Yadav downplayed concerns about his fitness, despite limping after his century."I have done this after a long time. I fielded for 20 overs and batted for 18 overs, only tired (nothing else to worry about.) I feel it was the need of the hour for me. I went out to bat, needed someone to bat till the end. I just enjoyed my time," Yadav said.Yadav's century has reignited Mumbai's playoff hopes and sent a warning to their rivals. The Indian batter's return to form is a major boost for the team and the IPL as a whole.

Legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara has urged India to promote Suryakumar Yadav to the crucial number three position in their batting lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Lara believes that Suryakumar's exceptional skills and abilities make him the ideal candidate to occupy this pivotal spot in the team's batting order.Lara, who is currently providing commentary for the Indian Premier League (IPL), emphasized the importance of getting Suryakumar to the crease as early as possible. He believes that the swashbuckling batsman can put India in an unassailable position if he bats first or win the game if he bats second."My one advice, and I don't know if you're going to like it or not, but Sky has to bat at three. He just has to bat at three. He is one of the greatest T20 players in the game," Lara said. "And you speak to players like Sir Viv, and he will tell you he used to want to get out there in the middle."Lara's suggestion would require a reshuffling of India's top order, with Suryakumar moving up to number three and Virat Kohli potentially opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. This would leave Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench.Lara also expressed his hope for an India-West Indies final at the T20 World Cup, which would make up for the disappointment of India's early exit from the 2007 ODI World Cup in the Caribbean."India and West Indies final is going to make up for so much wrong that has happened in the past. India missing out in 2007 in the second round, that killed us in the Caribbean. We don't want that to happen again," Lara said.Regarding India's spin bowling options, Lara believes that only a couple of the four spinners selected in the squad, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, are likely to play in the starting eleven. He praised Chahal's intelligence and ability to out-think batters, as well as Kuldeep's wicket-taking prowess.Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Kohli's strike rate, Lara believes that players like him are essential to the team's success. "You have to have a player like Virat in the playing eleven," Lara added.

Mumbai Indians' playoff hopes remain alive after a crucial victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. The win propelled MI to ninth place in the IPL 2024 standings with 8 points from 12 matches and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.212. While their chances of reaching the playoffs are slim, victories in their remaining two matches could potentially secure a Top 4 finish.Suryakumar Yadav's sensational century and brilliant bowling performances from Hardik Pandya and Piyush Chawla led MI to a 7-wicket victory over SRH. However, the path to the playoffs remains challenging for the Mumbai-based franchise.Conditions for MI to Reach IPL Playoffs:1. Win Remaining Matches: MI must win their remaining two matches against Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.2. Other Teams' Losses: No other team with 12 points (SRH, LSG, CSK) should win their remaining matches.3. Improved Net Run Rate: MI's current NRR of -0.212 needs to improve significantly through big wins in their remaining matches.Despite these conditions, MI's playoff chances are not promising. However, the team will be determined to finish the season on a high note and secure as many wins as possible.

Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating century and Mumbai Indians' disciplined bowling propelled them to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.Yadav's explosive innings of 102 not out from 51 balls, his second IPL century, powered Mumbai to an emphatic win in just 17.2 overs. Sunrisers had earlier recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive 173 for eight.The victory lifted Mumbai Indians from the bottom of the points table to ninth place, while Sunrisers, despite the loss, remained in fourth place with 12 points from 11 games.Joining forces inside the powerplay with Mumbai reeling at 31 for three, Yadav and Tilak Varma (37 not out off 32) stitched together a superb 143-run unbeaten stand to script a comprehensive victory. Yadav's sensational knock included 12 fours and half a dozen sixes.With their backs against the wall, Yadav picked Marco Jansen to attack, collecting 22 runs off the seventh over with two sixes and two fours. Shortly after completing his fifty off 30 balls, Yadav appeared to be struggling with a strain, but he hung on to guide Mumbai over the line, finishing the game with a flurry of boundaries.Apart from Yadav's heroics, Hardik Pandya's return to form ahead of the T20 World Cup and veteran Piyush Chawla's three-wicket haul were crucial for Mumbai's success. Pandya returned figures of 4-0-31-3, while Chawla (4-0-33-3) troubled the Sunrisers batters.However, Sunrisers skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with a quick 17-ball 35 (2x4s, 2x6s) late in the innings to take them past the 150-run mark. In contrast to their previous encounter in this IPL, where Sunrisers hammered 277/3, their batters struggled for momentum and initiative against Mumbai's bowlers.Travis Head top-scored with 48, while Cummins' late cameo provided some respectability to the Sunrisers' total.

Suryakumar Yadav's 'Supla' Shot: A Masterclass for Mumbai Indians TeammatesThe 'supla' shot, a paddle to fine leg off full-length deliveries, has become a signature move for South African legend AB de Villiers. Now, Mumbai Indians' (MI) star Suryakumar Yadav is taking the shot to new heights with his exceptional big-hitting skills. And he's not keeping his knowledge to himself, as he's eager to share the technique with his MI teammates.In a recent video posted by MI on social media, Yadav can be seen teaching the 'supla' shot to South African batter Dewald Brevis during a training session at the Wankhede Stadium. "Out of 10 times, 3 times you will connect, seven times you will not," Yadav advises Brevis, emphasizing the importance of practice and persistence.Yadav's willingness to share his expertise highlights his commitment to team success. Despite his own impressive performances this season, with 176 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 170.87, he recognizes the value of collective improvement.The 'supla' shot is particularly effective against fast bowlers, as it allows the batter to generate power and precision even on full-length deliveries. Yadav's mastery of the shot has made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world, and his teammates are eager to learn from his experience.As MI prepares for their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav's guidance could prove invaluable. The five-time champions have struggled this season, winning only three of their first 10 matches. However, with Yadav's leadership and the team's newfound knowledge of the 'supla' shot, they hope to turn their fortunes around and make a late push for the playoffs.

Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Narine Impression Sparks Laughter in IPLIn a lighthearted moment amidst the intense competition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav brought a smile to the face of Kolkata Knight Riders' star spinner Sunil Narine.During a recent match between the two teams, Yadav showcased his playful side by imitating Narine's signature celebration after scoring a century. The video, shared on Mumbai Indians' social media, captured the moment as Yadav mimicked Narine's stoic expression and raised his bat in triumph.Narine, known for his serious demeanor on the field, couldn't help but burst into laughter at Yadav's antics. The video quickly went viral, delighting fans and showcasing the camaraderie between the two players.The incident occurred during a crucial match between KKR and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. KKR, led by Shreyas Iyer, currently hold second place in the IPL standings with six wins from nine games. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have struggled this season and are unlikely to qualify for the playoffs despite having five games remaining.Despite the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, the moment between Yadav and Narine provided a welcome respite from the intense competition. It highlighted the lighter side of the IPL and the camaraderie that exists among players, even from rival teams.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has made significant strides in the ICC Men's T20I batter rankings, closing the gap on India's Suryakumar Yadav at the summit. Azam's impressive performance in the recently concluded series against New Zealand, where he amassed 125 runs in four innings, has propelled him to fourth place in the rankings.Azam's consistent batting displays have earned him a 10-point boost in his rating, bringing it to 763. He now trails Yadav by just 98 rating points, setting the stage for an intriguing battle for the top spot ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June.Azam's teammate Fakhar Zaman has also made notable progress, climbing 10 places to 62nd position. Zaman's aggressive batting style yielded 104 runs in the series, showcasing his ability to contribute to Pakistan's batting lineup.New Zealand's Tim Seifert has emerged as a standout performer in the latest rankings update. The right-hander's impressive 85 runs in the series, compiled at a strike rate of 144.06, have seen him jump seven places to equal seventh position.The T20I bowler rankings have also witnessed some notable changes. Pakistan's pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has moved up three places to 14th position after claiming eight wickets in four matches against New Zealand.With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup approaching, the latest rankings update provides a glimpse into the form and potential of the world's leading T20I players. Babar Azam's resurgence and the rise of other talented individuals promise an exciting tournament filled with intense competition and thrilling performances.

Lucknow Super Giants Aim to Strengthen Playoff Hopes Against Struggling Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday, with both teams seeking to bolster their playoff aspirations.LSG, currently fifth in the standings, will be buoyed by the return of Mayank Yadav, who has recovered from injury. The team's bowling attack, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan, has been impressive, and they will be confident of restricting MI's batting lineup.MI, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing campaign, languishing in ninth place. Their overseas fast bowlers have struggled to make an impact, leaving Jasprit Bumrah with an excessive workload. The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with Suryakumar Yadav yet to fully rediscover his form.Key Players to Watch:* Quinton de Kock (LSG): The South African opener has been inconsistent this season, but his explosive potential could prove decisive.* Suryakumar Yadav (MI): The Indian batter is MI's key run-scorer, and his return to form is crucial for their playoff hopes.* Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The Indian pace spearhead has been MI's most reliable performer, but he needs support from his teammates.Pitch and Conditions:The match will be played at the Lucknow stadium, where no team has scored over 200 runs in five games so far. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side, favoring the spinners.Quotes:* LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel on de Kock's form: "We need to back him in that position."* MI spinner Kumar Kartikeya on their game plan: "We want to keep things as simple as possible - restrict runs and try to take wickets."