Welcome to another electrifying chapter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where history is being rewritten with every boundary and milestone. In a high-stakes Qualifier 2 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MI’s star batter Suryakumar Yadav has etched his name in the annals of IPL history. Surpassing South African legend AB de Villiers, Suryakumar now holds the record for the most runs scored by a non-opener in a single IPL season—a testament to his extraordinary skill and consistency.
Coming into this do-or-die encounter, Suryakumar had already piled up an astonishing 673 runs in 15 innings at an average of 67.30 and a strike rate of 167.83. With five half-centuries and a best of 73 not out, his form has been nothing short of phenomenal. During this match, he needed just 15 more runs to overtake AB de Villiers’ long-standing record of 673 runs set in 2016 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), achieved in 16 innings at an average of 52.84 with a century and six fifties. Suryakumar reached the milestone in style, showcasing his signature sweep and reverse sweep shots against both pace and spin, underlining why he is often called the ‘360-degree player’ of Indian cricket.
What makes Suryakumar’s achievement even more remarkable is the context. Unlike openers who get the advantage of facing the new ball in favorable conditions, Suryakumar has consistently delivered from the middle order, often walking in during pressure-cooker situations for MI. His ability to adapt, accelerate, and dominate has not only surpassed de Villiers’ tally but has also placed him among the elite IPL batters of all time. For perspective, here’s a quick look at the top run-scorers by non-openers in a single IPL season: Suryakumar Yadav (691* in 2023), AB de Villiers (687 in 2016), Rishabh Pant (684 in 2018), and Kane Williamson (622 in 2018).
However, Suryakumar’s eyes are set on an even bigger prize. With Gujarat Titans’ opener Sai Sudharsan currently leading the Orange Cap race with 759 runs in 15 matches (average 54.21, including a century and six fifties), Suryakumar is just 87 runs shy of claiming the coveted title of the season’s top run-scorer. Given his form and hunger, this target seems well within reach, especially if MI progresses to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The match itself added to the drama of Suryakumar’s milestone. PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first, putting immediate pressure on MI’s batting lineup. As Suryakumar walked out to bat with history on the line, the Ahmedabad crowd roared in anticipation. His eventual record-breaking moment was met with thunderous applause, reaffirming his status as one of the IPL’s finest-ever batters. Beyond personal glory, Suryakumar’s contribution is critical to MI’s campaign, as they aim to secure a spot in yet another IPL final—a stage where they have historically thrived, having clinched the title five times, more than any other franchise.
As the dust settles on this historic feat, all eyes are now on Suryakumar Yadav. Can he chase down the Orange Cap? More importantly, can he inspire Mumbai Indians to triumph over Punjab Kings and carry them into the grand finale? One thing is certain—Suryakumar’s fearless approach and unrelenting hunger are scripting a narrative that will be remembered for years in IPL folklore. Stay tuned as the IPL 2025 saga unfolds with more twists, turns, and records waiting to be shattered.