Suryakumar Yadav equals Virat Kohli’s captaincy record as India crush NZ in 2nd T20I

Suryakumar Yadav equalled Virat Kohli [Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com]

If anyone was still doubting Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy credentials, Friday night in Raipur gave them a tight slap of reality. India didn’t just chase 209 against New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, they absolutely hunted it down like it was a club total.

The Men in Blue registered a seven-wicket win with 28 balls to spare. With this victory, Suryakumar Yadav has equalled Virat Kohli for the most T20I wins as India captain. And the best part? SKY didn’t just get the record on paper. He got it while playing one of those innings that reminds you why he is called Mr. 360.

Suryakumar Yadav equals Kohli in most T20I captaincy wins

Suryakumar Yadav has been under pressure lately for not getting big runs. Fans were murmuring, critics were circling. But champions don’t hide, they respond. And SKY responded in full style, equalling Virat Kohli’s 32 T20I wins as captain, while leading India to a 2-0 series lead in the five-match contest.

Most wins for India as captain T20Is

• Rohit Sharma: 50 wins
• MS Dhoni: 42 wins
• Virat Kohli: 32 wins
• Suryakumar Yadav: 32 wins

India’s chase starts with a mini heart attack

For a chase of 209, India’s start was nightmarish as they lost both openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, with just 6 runs on the board. And New Zealand were sniffing blood. But then came the counterpunch.

Ishan Kishan lights up Raipur like fireworks

Ishan Kishan didn’t come to “settle in”. He came to take the match by the collar. Back in the team and clearly pumped, Kishan went full beast mode with a sensational 76 off 32 balls with11 boundaries and 4 sixes as he registed the fastest ever Indian fifty vs NZ in T20Is (off just 21 balls)

Once Kishan started swinging, New Zealand’s bowlers looked like they were bowling in a net session. The momentum shifted so hard it almost felt unfair. It was one of those knocks where you blink and the match is already gone.

Captain SKY answers critics with a match-winning 82*

This was the Suryakumar Yadav show people were waiting for. The skipper played an unbeaten gem (82 off 37 balls*) and it had everything from outrageous placement to fearless hitting to 360-degree strokeplay.

If Kishan brought the explosion, SKY brought the control. He didn’t panic even after the early wickets. He didn’t slow down after Kishan got out in the 10th over either. He just kept doing what he does best: making bowlers look helpless. Dube smashed a rapid 36* off 18 balls, kept the foot on the throat, and helped India finish the job comfortably.

Earlier, New Zealand did fight well with the bat. They reached 208/6, which is a strong total anywhere. India’s bowlers didn’t completely dominate, but they managed to pull things back in the middle overs, which mattered later.

India go 2-0 up and now Guwahati awaits

With this seven-wicket win, India are now 2-0 up in the five-match series. Next up is the 3rd T20I in Guwahati, and India now have a golden chance to seal the series early.