Suryakumar Yadav broke India's record in T20 internationals

Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav scripted a memorable chapter in cricket history by becoming the Indian player with the most Player of the Match awards in T20 Internationals. He achieved this milestone by winning his 17th award in just his 105th T20I appearance.

The landmark performance came against the United States of America during the 2026 T20 World Cup match held at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7. Walking in when India were struggling at 77 for 6, Suryakumar played a calm yet aggressive knock of 84 runs from 49 deliveries. His innings, marked by precise timing and smart shot selection, lifted India to a fighting total of 161 for 9.

India’s bowlers then backed up the effort, successfully defending the score and sealing a 29-run victory.

Previously, the record was held by former India batter Virat Kohli, who had secured 16 Player of the Match awards in 125 T20Is before retiring from the format. Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel follow next on the list.

Reflecting on his journey, Suryakumar said he always believed such a moment would arrive. He spoke about how the previous year was challenging, as he tried to anchor the innings for the team without much success. After stepping away following the South Africa series, spending quality time with his family helped him reset mentally. He added that the fresh start in the new year, beginning with the series in Nagpur, brought a renewed sense of confidence and freedom to his game.