Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav, known for his exceptional batting prowess, has unveiled the secrets behind his diverse range of shots, including the iconic ‘offside scoop’ and the popular ‘Supla’ shot.
During Mumbai Indians’ crucial victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Yadav showcased his mastery of the ‘Supla’ shot, a unique technique he developed while playing tennis ball cricket in Mumbai. The shot, which involves scooping the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head, has become a trademark of Yadav’s batting style.
“The name of the shot comes from the local tennis ball cricket that is played in Mumbai,” Yadav explained. “When people started connecting with this shot, they gave it a name. It feels good to hear it being referred to as a ‘Supla’ shot.”
Yadav further elaborated on the origins of the ‘Supla’ shot, recalling his formative years playing rubber ball cricket with his school friends. “We used to play on hard cement tracks with a 20-meter boundary on the offside,” he said. “We used to make the ball wet before bowling it hard, and they would bowl from my knee to my head. To score runs without getting hit, I developed this shot.”
Yadav’s ‘Supla’ shot is a testament to his adaptability and creativity. “I try to take the ball on the body when I play the ‘Supla’ shot,” he said. “I try to be in the line of the ball and time it. There’s no premeditation in this. Even if it’s the first ball, if I want to use it, I’ll do it.”
Beyond the ‘Supla’ shot, Yadav has also mastered other unique shots, including the ‘uppercut shot’ and the ‘jump shot’. His ability to execute these shots with precision and flair has made him one of the most exciting batsmen in the IPL.
In the 2024 IPL season, Yadav has scored 334 runs with a strike rate of 176.71 through nine appearances. His season-high of 102* runs came in his last game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
