Suryakumar Yadav is currently leading Team India in the first T20I of the five-match series against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. The right-handed batsman caught attention with his leave off a short ball from Josh Hazlewood and the video clip went viral on social media.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and decided to bowl first. Matthew Short was ruled out of the series, and Josh Philippe returned to the national cricket team as a specialist batsman. Meanwhile, the visiting team dropped left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh in favor of young fast bowler Harshit Rana.
Suryakumar Yadav attracted attention by taking a leave on Josh Hazlewood’s short ball.
Suryakumar Yadav came to the crease after the early dismissal of left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma. Nathan Ellis gave his team the first success by dismissing Sharma, who scored 19 runs in 14 balls with the help of four fours.
On the first ball of the fifth over of India’s innings, Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood bowled a short-pitched ball to Suryakumar Yadav. The ball hit the off stump and turned slightly inwards.
Skye bent her knees to release the ball. Commentators noted that he seemed surprised by the short delivery, comparing this spontaneous maneuver to a move from The Matrix.
The commentator said, “(After SKY left the ball) it seemed he didn’t mean it. He just stayed at the crease.”
Another commentator said, “Yes, because, uh, you’re right. Hazlewood looked back at the bowling mark. Either way, it looked a good delivery. Got on to it quickly.”
Facing his second ball of the night, Suryakumar Yadav took a leave that even Neo from The Matrix would be proud of.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WyAlcVUjrS
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 29 October 2025
First T20 match between India and Australia interrupted by rain
The first T20I was interrupted by rain, leading to a modified contest of 18 overs per side. As per the adjusted playing conditions, the powerplay was reduced to 5.2 overs. Three bowlers were allowed to bowl a maximum of four overs, while the other two could bowl a maximum of three overs.
India made a strong start when invited to bat and reached 97/1 in 9.4 overs but play was once again interrupted due to rain. Shubman Gill was batting after scoring 37 runs in 20 balls, he hit four fours and a six.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav also looked in good form and scored 39 runs in 24 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes. Just as India looked set to score a huge score, their momentum was halted due to rain.
Suryakumar Yadav’s recent form is a matter of concern for Team India
Suryakumar Yadav’s recent decline in form was a matter of concern for the team. He led the team to the Asia Cup 2025 title but his performance with the bat was disappointing. The batsman scored only 72 runs in six innings at an average of 18 and a strike rate of over 100.
However, his record in Australian conditions is good. Before the ongoing match, Suryakumar had scored 239 runs in six T20Is at an impressive average of around 60 and a blistering strike rate of close to 190, which included three fifties.
The right-handed batsman has scored 2,670 runs in 90 matches at an average of 37.08 and a strike rate of 164.20, which includes four centuries and 21 half-centuries. He is one of the few batsmen to score four or more centuries in the shorter international formats.
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