‘Breakfast with Champions’ is the most popular cricket talk show. In its recent episode, Gaurav Kapoor hosted Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar Yadav is one of the most crucial batters for Mumbai Indians. Although the team has been failing to perform at par in IPL 2022, SKY has been contributing heavily, scoring those important runs. Earlier, Surya played for KKR in the IPL. Looking at SKY’s back-to-back big knocks in this season, he has confirmed his place in the T20 WC 2022 squad which will be played in Australia later this year. In addition, SKY has shared how he was not aware his name’s initials form a nickname for him until Gambhir had told him about it. Moreover, Surya speaks about the stare between Virat and Suryakumar in IPL 2020 encounter. Have a look at what Suryakumar Yadav said about the Virat Kohli sledging episode of 2020.
Watch: Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence on sledging incident with Virat Kohli
Back in IPL 2020, in the RCB vs MI match Kohli was sledging the opponents like anything. The then captain Kohli also tried to get under the skin of batter Suryakumar. Batting first RCB posed a target of 165 for MI. However, Mumbai Indians lost 2 early wickets. But whenever MI struggles, Yadav becomes the savior. He had scored a half-century and stabilized the inning after two wickets fell in quick succession. During the match, Surya had hit the ball towards Virat. Virat walked up to the batter and was giving him an intense stare. Surya tells how he was staring back at Virat, although was scared and panicking inside.
“That’s his style, his energy on the ground is on another level. It was also an important game for both the teams, his sledging was on another level. I was completely focused on myself. No matter what happens, I have to remain focused and win for the team. And not utter a word. – Not a word! The ball went there, he gestured and it was very instinctive.”
Suryakumar on Virat Kohli sledging incident from 2020
Virat Kohli was trying to get into SKY’s mind and break his concentration. However, the experienced batter didn’t lose his composure, he decided to keep quiet rather than give a reaction. He went on to play a scintillating knock of 79 off 43 deliveries. Although Virat intimidated Suryakumar with that eye contact he has made it clear in his mind that he has to be in the crease and win the important match for his team. As a result, MI won the match. It is to be noted that Mumbai Indians went on to lift their 5th IPL title in 2020.
“I was chewing gum and looked composed but on the inside, I was terrified, completely. My heart was racing. He is walking towards me, not saying anything, chewing gum. Even I’m quiet. The voice inside was screaming, “Bro I beg you, please don’t say anything”. It’s just a matter of 10 sec, the new over will start. The stare will end by then. He walked past me and luckily I dropped my bat then. That broke the tension. I walked away and didn’t even look at him the rest of the game. No chance I would, I just looked down and batted. We’ve never even spoken about this topic since.”
Suryakumar on Virat Kohli sledging incident from 2020
