SKY has 1 straight six & four, everything else is behind: Mukund
The ongoing IPL 2025 has witnessed some incredible performances from the batsmen, and one player who has caught everyone’s attention is Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Suryakumar Yadav. The 32-year-old has been in sublime form, scoring 475 runs in the tournament so far. However, former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund has highlighted a peculiar aspect of Suryakumar’s batting, stating that the right-hander has only scored one straight six and four, with everything else being behind.
Mukund’s comment might seem surprising, considering Suryakumar’s impressive numbers in the tournament. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the former India opener is not entirely wrong. Suryakumar’s highest score in IPL 2025 is a respectable 68*, but it’s true that he hasn’t dominated the bowlers with his usual flair.
In an interview, Mukund explained his point further: “From front of square till long on, Suryakumar has not scored anything. He has one straight six and four, and everything else is behind. He’s not playing his natural game, not getting the boundaries he’s used to getting.” Mukund’s words serve as a reminder that even the best players in the world have off days, and Suryakumar is no exception.
It’s worth noting that Suryakumar has been playing a more cautious game this season, perhaps due to the demands of the tournament and the need to anchor the innings for MI. He has been using his footwork to rotate the strike, and his running between wickets has been excellent. However, his aggression and ability to hit big shots have been missing, at least to an extent.
The stats also support Mukund’s claim. Suryakumar has scored 475 runs in 11 matches, with a strike rate of 125.32. While these numbers are impressive, they are slightly below his career average of 130.65. Moreover, he has hit only 12 sixes and 32 fours in the tournament so far, which is a relatively slower rate of scoring compared to his usual standards.
So, what’s behind Suryakumar’s struggles to score big this season? One possible explanation is the nature of the pitches in the tournament. The wickets in IPL 2025 have been slower and more challenging for batsmen, which might be affecting Suryakumar’s ability to play his natural game. Another factor could be the opposition’s tactics, as teams have been using a variety of bowling strategies to contain him.
Despite Mukund’s words, Suryakumar remains one of the top scorers in the tournament, and his experience and skill will be crucial for MI as they look to make a deep run in the competition. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if Suryakumar can find his mojo and start scoring more freely.
In conclusion, Mukund’s comment about Suryakumar’s batting is an interesting one, and it highlights the fact that even the best players in the world can go through a rough patch. While Suryakumar has been playing a more cautious game, he still has the ability to score big and will be looking to do so in the remaining matches of the tournament.
Source: https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1918256655554494930
