In a spectacular display of batting prowess, Suryakumar Yadav delivered a scintillating century off just 55 balls in the final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg. The stand-in skipper’s exceptional innings not only guided India to a formidable total but also earned him a unique distinction in T20 international cricket.
With this century, Suryakumar Yadav joined the elite company of Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, boasting four T20I centuries each. Notably, all four of SKY’s centuries have been achieved in the last two years, showcasing his remarkable consistency and adaptability across different cricketing conditions. The diverse locations of his centuries include England, New Zealand, India, and now South Africa.
Here is a glimpse of the top players with the most T20I centuries:
| Player | Centuries | Matches | Runs |
| Glenn Maxwell | 4 | 100 | 2275 |
| Rohit Sharma | 4 | 148 | 3853 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 4 | 60 | 2141 |
| Babar Azam | 3 | 104 | 3485 |
| Sabawoon Davizi | 3 | 31 | 1149 |
| Colin Munro | 3 | 65 | 1724 |
At one point, Suryakumar Yadav was batting at 26 off 24 balls, but he unleashed a breathtaking assault on the South African bowlers in the second half of the innings. The 13th over, in particular, saw him dismantle Andile Phehlukwayo, striking three sixes and a four.
SKY’s century, adorned with seven fours and eight sixes, showcased his aggressive yet elegant style of batting. In the process, he also became India’s second-highest six-hitter in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli and trailing only behind Rohit Sharma.
Suryakumar Yadav’s century played a pivotal role in propelling India to an imposing total of 201, despite losing wickets in the final two overs. His innings was complemented by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s contribution of 60 runs, as the duo formed a century partnership for the third wicket.
In response, South Africa faced an uphill battle, losing early wickets during the Powerplay and never managing to recover. The Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj’s stellar performance, continued to build pressure. Spinners, especially Kuldeep Yadav, played a crucial role, with Kuldeep securing a five-wicket haul and achieving career-best T20I figures of 5/17.
South Africa was eventually bowled out for 95 runs in the final T20I, falling short of the target by 106 runs. With the series ending 1-1 and the first game washed out due to rain, both teams shared the honors. The focus now shifts to the ODI series, set to commence in Johannesburg on 17 December, with both teams eager to make their mark in the fifty-over format.
