IPL 2020: MI's Suryakumar Yadav gets hit on the helmet off RR's Jofra Archer; smacks a six off the next ball

The Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) locked horns for the first time in this Indian Premier League (IPL) season on Tuesday. The defending champions were coming off a victory in their previous game while the Steve Smith-led Royals were keen on arresting their losing streak albeit only of two matches. After opting to bat first, MI got off to a good start but lost their way in the middle-overs.

However, it was due to Suryakumar Yadav’s heroic 79* off 47 balls that they managed to post a mammoth total of 193 runs on the board after 20 overs. After coming in to bat at three, he rotated the strike well and after getting set, played an array of shots to leave the bowlers helpless.

In the 19th over though, in an attempt to score some quick runs, Surya tried a different kind of a shot off Jofra Archer and the ball ended up hitting his helmet. Archer had bowled a knuckleball bouncer and he missed it only for it to hit his helmet. Suryakumar Yadav was shaken with the blow and it took a bit of time for him to get back on his feet after the physio attended.

Here’s the video of the ball hitting him:

That's a Nasty one from Jofra Archer for Surya Kumar Yadav Hope he is Ok | #IPL2020 | #RRvsMI pic.twitter.com/4WfCu3zust

— Mᴀᴛʜᴀɴ Wʀɪᴛᴇs (@Cric_life59) October 6, 2020

Stunning comeback from Surykumar Yadav

What followed on the next delivery was simply unbelievable! Despite getting hit on his helmet, Surya was aware of the line Jofra Archer will bowl to him. He sensationally reverse-lapped a short of a yorker-length delivery from the bowler over Jos Buttler’s head for a huge six. It was purely his timing and the pace made sure that the ball went the distance for a six.

It was such a special effort and to do it Archer after getting hit on the head left everyone singing praises for Suryakumar Yadav. Thanks to him and Hardik Pandya‘s late blitz, MI managed to post more than a decent total on the board. While Surya hit 11 fours and 2 sixes during his stay in the middle, Hardik scored a quickfire 30* off 19 balls with a couple of fours and a maximum.

Here’s the video of the sensational six:

You’re hit on the head and what do you do next ball? The skill levels and audacity in the modern game are incredible pic.twitter.com/uPnz9YpMZi

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) October 6, 2020