Page 50 - The Indian EYE 042624

SPORTS APRIL 26, 2024 | The Indian Eye 50

“THERE ARE UPS AND
DOWNS IN LIFE”: SURYA
REFLECTS ON LEAN SPELL

fter producing a stormy 78
against Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Ain the Indian Premier League
(IPL) 2024 on Thursday, Mumbai In-
dians (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav
said that his scores this season taught
him that there are “ups and downs”
in life.
Suryakumar scored 78 runs from
53 balls at a strike rate of 147.17.
He slammed 7 fours and 3 overhead
boundaries during his time on the
crease.
While speaking after the end of
first inning, Suryakumar said that he
has been recovering well from his in-
jury and already started fielding and
training. He also hoped that soon he
can take part in a full T20 match.
“That teaches you there are
ups and downs in life (on his scores
this season). It is going really, I am
almost there, I have started fielding
and training, hoping I will be on the
field for the whole 40 overs. Nothing
much (on his celebration), there was
a batters meeting and we spoke about
a batter batting for 15-16 overs, took
a little more time today but once Ro-
hit got out, someone had to bat deep.
There hasn’t been dew and if that is
the case then it is way above par,”
Suryakumar said.
Recapping the first inning of the
match, Punjab Kings sent Mumbai Mumbai Indians’ skipper Hardik Pandya plays a shot during a match against Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday (ANI)
Indians to bat first. Following that a
fiery knock from Suryakumar (78)
propeled MI to 192/7. Apart rom only make a partnership of 18 runs. “HE’S A REALLY TOUGH MI’s website as saying.
SKY, Rohit Sharma (36) and Tilak Kagiso Rabada made the first break- GUY”: SHREYAS GOPAL ON In MI’s last match against
Varma (34) played a pivotal role in through of the match after the Pro- HARDIK PANDYA Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Pan-
the inning and helped MI to add teas pacer dismissed Kishan in the dya scalped two wickets in his three-
valuable runs on the scoreboard. third over. umbai Indians (MI) bowl- over spell and gifted 43 runs. How-
Kishan displayed a sloppy per- ing allrounder Shreyas Go- ever, he failed to shine with the bat
Suryakumar Yadav’s blister- formance in the game as he scored Mpal on Wednesday show- as he scored only two runs playing
six balls.
just 8 runs from 8 balls.
ered praise on his skipper Hardik
ing 78-run knock propelled Suryakumar Yadav replaced Pandya and called him a “tough guy”. He added that they were “un-
Mumbai Indians (MI) to 192/7 Kishan on the crease and made a While speaking at a pre-match fortunate” to concede a 20-run loss
solid partnership with Rohit. The press conference, Gopal said that he against CSK in their previous match
against Punjab Kings (PBKS) two batters made a partnership of 81 has known Hardik for a decade now. of the IPL 2024.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t
in the Indian Premier League runs. Meanwhile, the Punjab bowlers He added that the MI skipper is one cross the line on the winning side
struggled to scalp wickets.
of the “toughest human beings in
(IPL) 2024 match at Maharaja Sam Curran bagged the crucial the world”. in the last match. But if you look at
“See, very honestly, I’ve known
Yadavindra Singh International wicket of Rohit in the 12th over. The Hardik for a decade since my time at it, this tournament is my 10th year
former MI skipper played a 36-run
in the IPL, and every team goes
Cricket Stadium on Thursday. knock after facing 25 balls at a strike Mumbai Indians 10 years ago. Even through ups and downs. When you
rate of 1444. He smashed 2 fours and then, nothing much has changed be- start hitting a purple patch, you click
After winning the toss Sam Cur- 3 sixes. tween us. And if people know him, as a team. We saw a couple of out-
ran’s Punjab opted to field first, how- The Punjab skipper picked up he’s a really tough guy. As much as standing games where we all came
ever, their decision did not quite go another important wicket as he dis- people say he’s a strong guy, don’t together as a group,” he added.
in their favour as the bowling attack missed Suryakumar in the 17th over worry; he is. Over 10 years of expe- MI are currently standing in the
of the hosts failed to take early wick- of the first inning. The star batter rience or 10 years of friendship with ninth place on the IPL standings
ets. scored 78 runs from 53 balls at a him, he’s a really tough guy. He’s after winning two of six matches
Ishan Kishan and Rohit Shar- strike rate of 147.17. He hit 7 fours one of the toughest human beings with four points at a net run rate of
ma opened for Mumbai and could and 3 sixes. in the world,” Gopal was quoted by -0.234.

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