"He was anchoring the innings at the time and I don't mind sacrificing my wicket for him at all," said Mumbai batsman Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match interview following his team's five-wicket victory over Delhi in the 2020 Indian T20 League final.
Mumbai may well and truly have won the game, and even their fifth Indian T20 League title, but the fans saw what was there to see. Suryakumar Yadav's selfless act of salvaging Rohit Sharma's wicket has become the recent talk of the town. After winning hearts with his ruthless batting, the uncapped Indian showed his benevolent side during his side's chase against Delhi in the final.
The incident happened in the 11th over off Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling. The 30-year-old, standing at the non-striker's end, looked in good touch and in the fifth ball of the over, Rohit asked for a single after hitting straight to Ajinkya Rahane at mid-off. Suryakumar Yadav shouted no, but his captain had already crossed the half-way mark. Yadav had to react quick, as he had not left his side of the crease, meaning that if a wicket goes, Rohit will have to walk off. Rahane picked the ball and rightly threw towards Rishabh Pant, and between the act, Yadav decided to leave the crease to keep his captain on the pitch.
#IPLfinal #IPL2020final #MIvsDC #DCvsMI : Suryakumar Yadav Wicket_HIGH #Dream11IPL #MI pic.twitter.com/OkGiSj74b4
— Jassi Bishnoi 🇮🇳 (@BishnoiJassi) November 10, 2020
His act was highly praised by the fans and this is how they are reacting:
Suryakumar Yadav might be too good for this game.
— keesara Manmadha reddy❤ (@Manmadhareddy7) November 10, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav is the real man of the match, huge respect!#MIvsDC
— Mithilesh Kabadi (@KabadiMithilesh) November 10, 2020
This is for Suryakumar Yadav - outstanding player and embodies everything Mumbai Indians stand for. ♥️♥️
— Zaid (@aaokaatlosab) November 10, 2020
+ Respect for Suryakumar Yadav 🤩
— Psydank NotDaksh (@NotDaksh_) November 10, 2020
Man with golden heart Suryakumar Yadav sacrificed his wicket for #RohitSharma what a player he is #MIvsDC 🙏🙏🙏 @surya_14kumar#Suryakumaryadhav pic.twitter.com/r5rZFWtQ8m
— Pogula Venkateswarlu (@pogulavenkates7) November 10, 2020
Suryakumar Yadav is a cool man and a true team player
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) November 10, 2020
Top class from Suryakumar Yadav, he sacrificed his wicket for the skipper. He clearly denied for the single, but Rohit Sharma wasn't sure to get back, in the end he runs towards the wickets and give his wicket away.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 10, 2020
Nahh, SuryaKumar Yadav is a great player, zero selfishness.
— ⚡ (@Fatistic22) November 10, 2020
Pathetic call from Rohit there, but an honest human error. It happens, and Suryakumar Yadav, man @surya_14kumar you've every ounce of respect 💙
— Anvesha. (@Anvesha_45) November 10, 2020
You have got to respect surya Kumar Yadav . He is a damm finest player . He knows how team work goes. A selfless inning and a mature sacrifice .@BCCI watch it imo .
— muskan (@thatfallenleaf) November 10, 2020
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @surya_14kumar
