"MVP Was Not Suryakumar Yadav": Ex-India Star's Surprising Take On MI vs GT Game

14.05.2023 - 03:51 sports.ndtv.com

Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra believes that Rashid Khan was the most valuable player on Friday despite Suryakumar Yadav slamming his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) century during the match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.

Rashid scored a brilliant half-century and took four wickets but his achievements were overshadowed by Suryakumar's innings which proved to be the match-winning knock for MI.

Chopra said that although Rashid was not able to win the game for his side, his performance deserved to be deemed the Man of the Match. "The most valuable player of the match in my humble opinion, is not Suryakumar Yadav.

The most valuable player is Rashid Khan. If he had gotten a little help from someone else, if they were not 55/5, Rashid Khan would have single-handedly won them the match," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

cricket Mumbai Indians on Tim David Aakash Chopra Suryakumar Yadav Gujarat Titans Rashid Khan India

Indian cricket team star Suryakumar Yadav is known to many fans by his nickname ‘SKY' and it has become quite common among the cricketing fraternity. However, there is a fascinating story behind the nickname and it has a direct connection to his former Indian Premier League (IPL) captain Gautam Gambhir. Suryakumar revealed that his nickname was given by Gambhir during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders and the veteran opener decided to shorten his name in order to make it easier to call.

"When I Played For India In 1999...": Virender Sehwag's Advice To Mumbai Indians' Star Tilak Varma

Mumbai Indians star batter Tilak Varma made his IPL debut in 2022. In the first season, he scored 397 runs across 14 matches at an average of 36.09 and a strike rate of 131.02. In IPL 2023, Varma improved his performance by scoring 343 runs across 11 matches at an average of 42.88 and an impressive strike rate of 164.11. The batter gave a scare to Gujarat Titans during Mumbai Indians' mammoth chase of 234 runs in the Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. The southpaw scored 43 runs off 13 balls before Rashid Khan dismissed him to keep GT in the driving seat.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav's Heartbreaking Reaction After Getting Clean Bowled By Mohit Sharma

A brilliant team effort helped Gujarat Titans thrash Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 and gave them an entry into their second successive final. The defending champions posted a whopping total of 233/3 in 20 overs, courtesy of the magnificent 129-run knock from Shubman Gill. However, the second-half of the match was completely dominated by pacer Mohit Sharma, who took a five-wicket haul as MI were bundled out for 171. Out of the five wickets, the dismissal of batter Suryakumar Yadav turned out to be the game-changing moment for GT.

"Mujhko Nazar Jaldi Lagta Hai": Suryakumar Yadav's Quirky Take On His Tattoos

Mumbai Indians player Suryakumar Yadav opened up about the tattoos on his body and their significance. He talked about his very first tattoo, dedicated to his parents which "gave him the permission" to get some more ink on his body. "I have a tattoo of my mom and dad's names. This was my first tattoo so I could get permission for the rest", said Suryakumar in an interview with Jio Cinema. When asked about the evil eye tattoo on his hand, the T20 batting star said, "My wife told me to get this tattoo. Because she feels mujhko nazar jaldi lagta hai".

"People Say T20 Is About Sixes": Suryakumar Yadav's Interesting Take On Batting Ahead Of IPL 2023 Qualifier 2

Mumbai Indians (MI) star batter Suryakumar Yadav on Friday gave an insight into his gameplay, which makes him one of the most feared, effortless and elegant strikers of the white-ball in the shortest format of the game. Surya, popularly known as SKY, talked about his self-belief which keeps him going despite numerous ups and downs in his career. Suryakumar Yadav had an exclusive interaction with JioCinema posted ahead of his side's IPL 2023 qualifier 2 match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday. The winner of the match will book a place in the final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which will take place on May 28 in Ahmedabad.

"When I Returned To MI In 2018": Suryakumar Yadav On 'Big Turning Point' In Career

Ahead of their Qualifier 2 match against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Mumbai Indians' star batter Suryakumar Yadav said that the trust that MI have shown in him and given him opportunities to bat up the order was a significant turning point in his career. Suryakumar had an exclusive interview with JioCinema ahead of the MI's Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Qualifier 2 match against Gujarat Titans which will take place in Ahmedabad on Friday.