SURYA'S SUNDAY SCORCHER

Yadav’s Repertoire Of Audacious Strokeplay Stuns Hapless Zimbabwe As India Win By 71 Runs To Top Group

- Partha.Bhaduri @timesgroup.com

Melbourne: A delightful, breathless assault from Suryakumar Yadav (61 not out off 25 balls; 6x4, 4x6) was the highlight of India’s 71-run decimation of Zimbabwe at the ‘G’ on Sunday night.

KL Rahul too chipped in with a second consecutive half-century before the bowlers made quick work of the opposition lineup to hammer home the point that there would be no change in the status quo when India took the field.

The day had started, after all, with the Netherlands upsetting South Africa to upend all predictions in Group 2, but a brutally dominating performance ensured that India ended as group toppers. They will now play England in the second semifinal at the Adelaide Oval next Thursday.

Surya’s repertoire of audacious strokeplay, all powerful wrists and maddening angles even as he chases perfection at the point of contact, was on view as India, batting first, exploded to 186/5 in 20 overs after another sedate start.

The scoops, the sweeps, the pick-up shots, the lofted drives all melted into one in a maverick display of T20 batting genius.