India batsman Suryakumar Yadav recalled his face-off with India captain Virat Kohli during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, saying he was happy that the RCB skipper sledged him.
Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli were involved in a staring contest during a crunch match in Abu Dhabi last year. It all started when Kohli was trying to unsettle Suryakumar who was taking the attack to RCB bowlers in MI’s chase of 165.
The incident came days after Suryakumar missed a berth in the India squad for the Australia tour last year. The MI batsman looked like a man on a mission as he batted with a steely resolve. Despite losing early wickets, MI managed to seal a 5-wicket win. Suryakumar remained unbeaten and finished the chase on 79 off 43 balls with 3 sixes and 10 boundaries.
Kohli’s efforts had gone in vain as Suryakumar maintained his composure and did the job for Mumbai Indians.
Notably, Suryakumar told Sports Tak earlier this year that the two player left the incident on the field and greeted each other when they met after the match in Abu Dhabi.
“After the match he was just normal. He said, ‘well played’ to everybody afterwards. It was just in that moment (his staring incident with Virat Kohli). He also knew at that situation who was the key player in the opposition,” Suryakumar had said.
The Mumbai Indians batsman made his India debut earlier this year in the T20I series against England.
