IPL 2023: GT assistant coach in awe of Suryakumar Yadav, says MI star batted smartly

Mumbai, May 13: Gujarat Titans assistant coach and former India spinner Ashish Kapoor has said Suryakumar Yadav played 'smartly' following the Mumbai Indians star batter's maiden IPL century on Friday (May 12).

The world no. 1 T20 batter, Suryakumar smashed 103 off 49 balls to power Mumbai Indians to a challenging 218. In response, Rashid Khan's (79 not out off 32) onslaught helped GT to 191.

MI got back to the third position with 14 points in the points table following the 27-run win, courtesy Suryakumar's knock that included 11 fours and 6 sixes. GT still remain on top with 16 points.

However, Kapoor said GT were hopeful Noor Ahmad would remove Suryakumar like the reverse fixture, but the MI batter played smartly against the Afghanistan spinner.

"(It was) an absolutely brilliant knock. He played smartly, we were expecting Noor might get him out, because the way he played him - got out to him in the previous game. Even today he (Surya) did not take chances against him," Kapoor said.

Kapoor also said that Vishnu Vinod's knock of a 20-ball 30 helped ease the pressure on Suryakumar, who showcased his ability once he was set with his six-hitting.

"As long as Noor bowled he kept picking singles and twos and actually Vishnu Vinod took pressure off him when he got runs in the middle quicker than him. But once he was set, you all know what Surya can do," Kapoor said.

"When a guy is in that kind of form, it is very difficult for the bowlers. These kinds of batsmen put the bowlers under a lot of pressure, you don't know how many sixes they are going to hit every over, forget the innings."

MI bowler Akash Madhwal, who chipped in with three wickets, also praised senior pro Suryakumar for his outstanding knock and the difficulty to bowl to him in the nets.

"It is very difficult to bowl to Surya bhai. I have bowled to a lot of batters but he plays extraordinarily well," Madhwal said when asked about his experience of bowling to Suryakumar in the nets.

"Whatever he trains for in the nets, he is able to execute in the game. It is very difficult to bowl at him. I have also played a practice match against him, watching him bat is special. I have not seen a player like him," he said.

(With PTI inputs)