Suryakumar Yadav showed his best athletic performance during the second T20I match against New Zealand which took place at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on January 23. His first fifty,which he had waited to achieve,he used to score 25 runs against pacer Zak Foulkes during the ninth over of the run chase. Suryakumar began the over with a delicate shot that split the gap between point and short third-man. The fielder made a diving attempt to catch the ball but the batter achieved a perfect hit. The pacer delivered a fast bouncer but the Indian captain used a ramp shot to hit the ball beyond the wicketkeeper's reach. 🚨 EXCELLENT KNOCK FROM CAPTAIN SURYAKUMAR YADAV 🚨 Captain Suryakumar Yadav after 24 innings smash fifty in 23 balls under pressure. he smashed 82 runs not out in 37 balls including 4 sixes and 9 fours. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is back 💪 🔥 pic.twitter.com/amp4pY2mur — Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) January 23, 2026 Foulkes' difficult match continued when he threw a wide delivery and then saw his thick outside edge hit the boundary for the third consecutive four. Suryakumar executed a perfect cover drive to achieve his fourth consecutive boundary which he managed to contact before the fielder could reach the ball. Foulkes suffered additional humiliation when the star batter executed his signature six hit behind square using a slower bouncing ball. The pacer managed to prevent a sixth consecutive boundary but the situation already appeared to be serious. Fans witnessed a stunning burst of boundaries in that over. Also Read | "Informed" not "asked"! Bangladesh player made shocking reveal after ICC rules out BCB from '26 T20 World Cup Suryakumar reached his fifty shortly after and it came at an ideal time with India building towards the World Cup. His previous T20I fifty occurred during the home series against Bangladesh in October 2024. Foulkes faced Suryakumar again in the 14th over with India closing in on the target. The skipper made an error on his second attempt to hit a back-of-length delivery which Mitchell Santner the opposing captain dropped at mid-off. After Foulkes received a six on the next delivery he created a new chance which Devon Conway failed to catch while he ran back from point. Suryakumar ended the over with two more boundaries which brought India within striking distance of their 200-run goal.