In what is shaping up to be a historic evening for Indian cricket, the stage is set for batting sensation Suryakumar Yadav to potentially eclipse Virat Kohli’s impressive T20I record. As the Indian squad prepares to face Australia in the third T20I of their five-match series on Tuesday, all eyes are on Suryakumar, who is poised to become the quickest Indian batsman to amass 2000 runs in the shortest format of the game.
Currently, Suryakumar is a mere 60 runs away from the landmark achievement, having accumulated 1940 runs in his T20I career spanning just 52 innings. His prowess with the bat has been unmistakable, reflecting in his ascension to the number 1 T20I batter rating. On the other side of the record book, cricket stalwart Virat Kohli took 56 innings to reach the 2000 run milestone, a target which Suryakumar could outpace in the upcoming match in Guwahati.
Yet, it’s not just a national record that’s at stake. A successful outing for Suryakumar could see him narrowly miss the global record held by Pakistani duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both of whom achieved the 2000 T20I run mark in their 52nd innings.
With India currently dominating the series against Australia with a 2-0 lead, the team aims to clinch an unassailable edge. Powered by near-flawless batting displays in the preceding games, the new-look Indian team intends to keep the momentum going on the traditionally high-scoring Barsapara Stadium pitch, which is expected to continue being a batter’s paradise.
The anticipation is heightened by the prospect of witnessing a run feast from the formidable Indian batting lineup, which has already delighted fans with a tally of 36 boundaries and 24 sixes in just two games. As 40,000 spectators prepare to throng the stands, the Indian batsmen are ready to further their explosive track record.
Meanwhile, the visiting Australian contingent battles fatigue after an extensive nine-week stint in the subcontinent. Seasoned players Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa are showing tell-tale signs of weariness and are in dire need of rest before their next cricketing engagements. Notably, the quartet will participate in the upcoming Big Bash League, while for Smith, a Test series against Pakistan looms on the horizon as his next international commitment.
The stage is brimming with anticipation as the team lists are confirmed. India walks in with Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, supported by vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and a capable squad comprising Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma alongside spin and pace assets including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
Australia’s lineup features Matthew Wade as captain, leading a team with familiar and rising talents including Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, and Adam Zampa.
As the enthralling cricket action of India vs Australia 2023 continues, fans eagerly await to see if Suryakumar Yadav will script a new chapter in the annals of cricket history by surpassing the great Virat Kohli’s record on Tuesday’s clash in the third T20I. Stay tuned for the latest updates and check out the India vs Australia 2023 schedules, available on popular social media platforms and cricket applications.