Long before donning the Mumbai Indians (MI) jersey, a 20-year-old Suryakumar Yadav announced his arrival on the domestic circuit with an impressive knock of 73 runs in his Ranji Trophy debut. The 2011-12 season, his first full outing in Ranji Trophy, saw him topping the run charts for Mumbai.

A double-century against Odisha in only his third match of the season, another hundred in the very next match and a ton in Duleep Trophy to cap off a remarkable domestic season, Suryakumar had convinced the Mumbai Indians management of his capabilities to earn a contract for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

But, earning a contract is one thing and coming good on the promise is altogether a different ballgame - something Suryakumar learned the hard way. 

A tumultuous 2012-13 domestic season saw him falling out of favour in the Mumbai line-up and he was eventually let go in 2013. Mumbai's loss proved to Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) gain as Suryakumar found a new challenge and purpose with Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise.

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In the ongoing season, the 30-year-old has already amassed 362 runs, including three fifties, in 12 matches, so far. He is just 30 runs adrift from Quinton de Kock who currently leads the list of leading run-getters of Mumbai this season. 

Last night, Suryakumar's masterclass was once again in full display as he anchored Mumbai's run-chase, powering them to a crucial five-wicket win.

Those who have been treated to Suryakumar's batting masterclass before wouldn't have been surprised how he played against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but for the uninitiated, his 43-ball 79 was as incandescent as it was impactful. The T20 format might be infamous for slambang power-hitting, but Suryakumar's was a performance that was derived from special and innovative strokes.

| The best of Surya from last night! #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #Dream11IPL #MIvRCB @SamsungIndia pic.twitter.com/sQzbUoj6lO

His six off Yuzvendra Chahal, where he bent his back knee to make more swinging room to drive the ball over extra-cover for the maximum was a sight for the batting gods. 

His back-foot drive off Dale Steyn, that, first, beat extra-cover fielder and then, the sweeper cover man for a boundary was just majestic. And, the ramp-shot six that went into the RCB dugout off Steyn was otherworldly.

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