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Suryakumar Yadav Joins India's 100-T20I Club in Series Opener vs NZ

Suryakumar Yadav achieved a significant milestone by playing his 100th T20 International for India during the first match against New Zealand. He joins an exclusive group featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya as the only Indians to reach this landmark. The five-match series serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field first at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

Key Points: Suryakumar Yadav Plays 100th T20I for India vs New Zealand

  • Suryakumar Yadav plays 100th T20I
  • Joins Rohit, Kohli, Pandya in elite club
  • Series prep for T20 World Cup 2026
  • NZ wins toss, opts to field
  • India and NZ announce playing XIs
2 min read

Suryakumar Yadav becomes fourth player to play 100 T20Is for India, achieves feat during 1st T20I against New Zealand

Suryakumar Yadav becomes the fourth Indian to play 100 T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya in an elite group.

"Looks like a good wicket, will see if it does anything early. - Mitchell Santner"

Nagpur, January 21

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav became the fourth player to play 100 or more T20Is for his country. The ace Indian batter achieved this landmark during the first T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday.

The right-handed batter has amassed 2788 runs in 93 innings at an average of 35.29, including four centuries and 21 half-centuries. Suryakumar is also the third-highest run-getter for India in the shortest format.

The 35-year-old Suryakumar joined the elite list of Hardik Pandya (125 matches), Virat Kohli (125 matches) and Rohit Sharma (159 matches), who have played the most T20Is for India.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to field first against Team India in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand will help both countries prepare for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, starting next month in India and Sri Lanka.

Santner said it is a good wicket and they will try to take advantage early.

"Looks like a good wicket, will see if it does anything early. Last week was special. It's a new series, great prep for the World Cup. All have been playing, be it for the national side or franchises. Three seamers - Clarke to debut, Jamieson and Duffy. There are many spinners. Bracewell still has a calf niggle," Santner said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

India captain Suryakumar said Shreyas, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav are missing out. "We were looking to play, and there was a bit of dew at 8:30 pm (yesterday). We've been doing a lot right, and the atmosphere is positive in the dressing room. Shreyas, Harshit, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep are the ones from the squad missing out."

Teams: New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy. India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living abroad, it's players like Suryakumar who make me stay up late to watch matches! His strike rate and ability to play those audacious shots under pressure are world-class. A true modern great in the format.
A
Ananya R
Congratulations to him! But I have to say, while the milestone is great, his recent form has been a bit up and down. Hope he finds consistency leading into the World Cup. The team needs its captain to fire consistently. All the best, SKY!
V
Vikram M
Joining the likes of Kohli, Rohit, and Hardik is no small feat. His average of 35+ with a sky-high strike rate shows his impact. More than the numbers, it's the fear he puts in bowlers' minds. Here's to many more matches and those incredible scoops!
K
Karthik V
Great to see this series being used as prep for the World Cup at home. The team combination looks interesting. Hope Abhishek Sharma gets a good run. SKY leading a young-ish side is the perfect scenario before the big tournament.
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Michael C
The depth in Indian cricket is astonishing. A player of Suryakumar's calibre is the fourth to reach 100 T20Is! The competition for places must be fierce. Congrats to him on a stellar career so far.

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