As Suryakumar Yadav delivered one of the best knocks of the Asia Cup 2022, Virat Kohli had the finest seat in the house. Suryakumar hammered the Hong Kong bowlers in India’s second and final Group A encounter on Wednesday, August 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, hitting 68 not out in just 26 balls.

After KL Rahul fought to cut loose, India was trying to get going at 94 for 2 at the conclusion of the 13th over. The Hong Kong bowlers prevented the India vice skipper from starting at all, therefore it took him 39 balls to get to 36. However, there was carnage from Suryakumar’s blade after KL Rahul left in the 13th over.

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Suryakumar scored 192 for 2 in the allotted 20 overs by hitting 6 sixes and as many boundaries as India scored in their final 42 balls (98 runs). With Virat Kohli, who had signs of regaining his form with a 44-ball 59 not out, Suryakumar put together a 98-run partnership.

Suryakumar once again proved that he is a 360-degree player as he easily swept the spinners from Hong Kong and blasted the fast bowlers all over the ground. Suryakumar Yadav struck three consecutive sixes in Haroon Arshad’s penultimate over, and it appeared as though he would reach six in six. He ultimately settled for 4 sixes and a double, though, as India scored 26 runs off the final over.

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In the final over, a spectacular hit left Virat Kohli speechless. Although Suryakumar gained room for himself, Haroon miscued his delivery. The Mumbai Indians hitter, though, was quick to shift and smashed the wide delivery into the cover area of the stands.

Virat Kohli, in addition to the fans, was astounded by Suryakumar’s power-hitting. Kohli signalled to the dressing room and raised his helmet and bowed to Suryakumar as the two batters made their way back to the pavilion, indicating that he was still in shock over Suryakumar’s onslaught during the previous seven overs.

After the match, Kohli tweeted, “Good win today. A special knock by SKY. We’ll keep going.”

After Hong Kong won the toss and decided to bowl, India scored a total that was above average despite a slow start from KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. Asserting once more that he should be among the first names on the squad sheet when India travels to Australia for the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar hit his sixth fifty.

In order to explain how he is able to strike the ball to different areas of the field, Suryakumar cited his experience playing local rubber-ball cricket with his friends as his primary source of learning.

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“I haven’t practiced those strokes, but I used to play rubber ball cricket with my friends when I was a kid and that is where these shots come from.” Suryakumar said.

“The pitch was a little sticky before. Before I got out to bat, I spoke to Rohit and Rishabh and told them that I would try to take the tempo up and look for 170-175. I think we have a good score on this wicket,” he added.