Is Suryakumar Yadav the Best Mumbai Indians Player of the Last 6-7 Years?
In the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals, Suryakumar Yadav smashed 73 off 43 balls, helping Mumbai Indians post a strong total of 180/5. Over the past 7 years, he has consistently performed and is now the highest run-scorer for Mumbai Indians in this period, proving his value as one of the team’s most reliable batters.
Over the years in the IPL, the Mumbai Indians have a rich history of producing classic batsmen who have ruled the tournament. From Sachin Tendulkar to Rohit Sharma and now carrying forward the legacy, Suryakumar Yadav has been another name who has amazingly carried the Mumbai Indians franchise over the past few years. His form has always been a positive sign for the team. In the 63rd game of the IPL 2025 between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliance was on full display. His amazing shots relieved every Mumbai Indians fan. Scoring 73 runs off 43 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes, he powered Mumbai Indians to 180 for 5 in 20 overs.
Suryakumar came to the crease early, with Mumbai Indians at 48 for 2 in the 5.3 overs. The team soon lost Will Jacks for 21 and Ryan Rickelton for 25, slipping to 58 for 3 in the 6.4th over. Facing pressure, Suryakumar took charge, playing with confidence against a strong Delhi Capitals bowling attack. He started steadily, building a crucial 55-run partnership with Tilak Varma, who scored 27 off 27 balls. This stand stabilized the innings, taking Mumbai Indians to 113 for 4 by the 14.5th over when Varma fell.
Last game at Wankhede in #TATAIPL 2025, finished off in style 😎#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #MIvDCpic.twitter.com/8KOz6wENnL
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 21, 2025
Suryakumar’s aggression was evident as he targeted the bowlers. Against Mukesh Kumar, who took 2 wickets but conceded 48 runs in 4 overs, Suryakumar hit boundaries with ease. He was equally effective against Dushmantha Chameera, who leaked 54 runs in 4 overs, smashing a six and a four to keep the run rate above 9. His strike rate of 169.76 showcased his ability to score quickly without taking undue risks. Even Kuldeep Yadav, the tightest bowler with 1 for 22 in 4 overs, couldn’t stop Suryakumar, who picked a four off him with clever placement.
After Hardik Pandya’s brief 3 off 6 balls ended in the 16.3rd over, Suryakumar stayed unbeaten, adding 57 runs with Naman Dhir, who smashed 24 off 8 balls. Suryakumar’s 7 fours included crisp cover drives and deft cuts, while his 4 sixes, soaring over midwicket and long-on, thrilled the Wankhede crowd. His 73 not out was the backbone of Mumbai Indians’ total, ensuring they posted a competitive 180 for 5. Facing 43 balls, he paced his innings perfectly, accelerating in the death overs to lift the run rate to 9.00.
How Has Suryakumar Yadav Performed for Mumbai Indians in the Last 7 Years?
In the 2018 IPL, Mumbai Indians bought Suryakumar Yadav for INR 3.2 Crores after he played for Kolkata Knight Riders the previous season. This decision in the IPL Auction 2018 soon turned out to be gold for the Mumbai Indians team. Over the last seven years (2018–2025), Suryakumar has become a cornerstone of their batting, delivering consistent and explosive performances. With 3569 runs in 108 matches across 106 innings, his contribution has been massive, boasting an average of 38.79 and a strike rate of 151.87, making him one of the most reliable and aggressive batsmen for Mumbai Indians.
| Player | Match | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 0s | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA Yadav | 108 | 106 | 14 | 3569 | 103* | 38.79 | 2350 | 151.87 | 2 | 27 | 8 | 389 | 139 |
| RG Sharma | 110 | 110 | 5 | 2726 | 105* | 25.96 | 2042 | 133.49 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 274 | 125 |
| Ishan Kishan | 89 | 84 | 6 | 2325 | 99 | 29.80 | 1699 | 136.84 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 221 | 106 |
| HH Pandya | 81 | 74 | 20 | 1447 | 91 | 26.79 | 925 | 156.43 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 105 | 88 |
| NT Tilak Varma | 51 | 48 | 11 | 1429 | 84* | 38.62 | 994 | 143.76 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 111 | 69 |
Suryakumar’s ability to dominate bowlers is clear from his stats. He has smashed 389 fours and 139 sixes, showing his flair for both precision and power. His highest score of 103 not out highlights his match-winning potential, and with 2 centuries and 27 fifties, he has been a consistent run-scorer. Facing 2350 balls, he maintains a high strike rate, ensuring Mumbai Indians often post or chase big totals. His 14 not-outs reflect his knack for finishing innings, anchoring or accelerating as needed.
From 2018 to 2025, Suryakumar’s role evolved from a top-order stabilizer to a game-changer. Compared to teammates like Rohit Sharma, who scored 2726 runs at a lower average of 25.96, or Hardik Pandya with 1447 runs at 26.79, Suryakumar’s average of 38.79 stands out, nearly matching Tilak Varma’s 38.62 but with far more runs and experience. His strike rate of 151.87 is higher than Ishan Kishan’s 136.84 and Rohit’s 133.49, underlining his ability to score quickly. Only Pandya’s 156.43 strike rate surpasses him, but Pandya’s lower volume of runs makes Suryakumar’s consistency more impactful.
Most consecutive scores of 25 or more in T20s
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 21, 2025
13 – Temba Bavuma (2019-20)
13 – Suryakumar Yadav (2025)
11 – Brad Hodge (2005-07)
11 – Jacques Rudolph (2014-15)
11 – Kumar Sangakkara (2015)
11 – Chris Lynn (2023-24
11 – Kyle Mayers (2024)#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/CBxXtoRObF
Despite 8 ducks, Suryakumar’s overall record overshadows these rare failures. His 27 fifties are nearly double Rohit’s 14 and far exceed Pandya’s 3 or Varma’s 8, showing his reliability in crunch situations. In 2020, his stellar performances helped Mumbai Indians win the IPL title, and his form has remained a positive sign for the team. Whether playing at Wankhede or away, Suryakumar’s 360-degree shot-making like scoops, lofts, and drives has troubled bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult and many more in the tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Year-Wise Performance for Mumbai Indians
When it comes to the player who has truly carried the Mumbai Indians over the past few years, it’s hard to look past Suryakumar Yadav. Since 2018, he’s been the backbone of the batting lineup, showing consistency, flair, and a calm head under pressure. His performances have only improved with time, and the numbers tell a strong story. In 2025, SKY has been in sensational form. In just 13 matches, he’s piled up 583 runs with a strike rate of 170.47 and an average of nearly 73. He’s hit 58 fours and 30 sixes, proving once again how dominant he can be in the middle.
| Year | Matches | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 5 | 583 | 73* | 72.88 | 342 | 170.47 | 0 | 4 | 58 | 30 |
| 2024 | 11 | 1 | 345 | 102* | 34.50 | 206 | 167.48 | 1 | 3 | 36 | 18 |
| 2023 | 16 | 2 | 605 | 103* | 43.21 | 334 | 181.14 | 1 | 5 | 65 | 28 |
| 2022 | 8 | 1 | 303 | 68* | 43.29 | 208 | 145.67 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 16 |
| 2021 | 14 | 0 | 317 | 82 | 22.64 | 221 | 143.43 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 | 3 | 480 | 79* | 40.00 | 331 | 145.01 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 11 |
| 2019 | 16 | 2 | 424 | 71* | 32.61 | 324 | 130.86 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 10 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 | 512 | 72 | 36.57 | 384 | 133.33 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 16 |
The year before, in 2024, he scored 345 runs in 11 games, including a brilliant 102 not out. That season also saw him strike at 167.48, showing that he’s not just consistent, but also quick to score. 2023 was one of his best seasons ever. He smashed 605 runs in 16 matches with five fifties and a century (103*). His strike rate that season was an unbelievable 181.14, making him one of the top performers in the tournament. Even when he played only 8 matches in 2022, he still made an impact with 303 runs at an average above 43. In 2021, he had a dip in form, scoring 317 runs, but bounced back strongly in the following years.
– 605 runs in IPL 2023.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 21, 2025
– 583 runs in IPL 2025.
– 512 runs in IPL 2018.
– 480 runs in IPL 2020.
– 424 runs in IPL 2019.
ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER OF MI, SURYAKUMAR YADAV 💙 pic.twitter.com/UtPoYgt3hk
Looking further back, he was a key part of the 2020 championship-winning season, scoring 480 runs in 16 games with four fifties and a strike rate above 145. That season, he often guided Mumbai home in tough chases. In his early years with MI, he impressed straight away. In 2019, he scored 424 runs, and in 2018, he crossed the 500-run mark in his debut season with the franchise. Over these seven seasons, Suryakumar has been Mumbai’s most reliable batter. Whether it’s steadying the innings, accelerating at the death, or pulling off something extraordinary, he’s done it all.
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