'I still remember those sixes' - CSK's Akash Madhwal names toughest batter he has bowled to

Akash Madhwal, the 32-year-old CSK seamer, has identified Suryakumar Yadav as the most challenging batter he has faced during his bowling career. The 35-year-old Mumbai Indians (MI) star proved exceptionally difficult to contain during a practice match when Madhwal was part of the five-time champions. Madhwal joined CSK as an injury replacement for Ayush Mhatre after going unsold at the IPL 2026 auction.

Madhwal reflected on his experience bowling to Suryakumar during his time with MI across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The seamer's encounter with the MI batter left a lasting impression, particularly the manner in which Suryakumar dispatched the deliveries.

"I bowled to SKY, Suryakumar Yadav bhaiya, in an MI practice match. So, he is too difficult. Especially in T20s, it's very difficult. I bowled to him, and I know he hit me for many sixes. I still remember those sixes," Madhwal told Sports Tak.

"He hit me behind. He hit those unorthodox shots. For those shots, you don't even have the field set or a delivery that works against them. But even when he plays those shots, we feel like, wow, what a shot that was," he added.

Madhwal's encounter with Suryakumar during MI practice match

Madhwal's assessment highlights the exceptional skill Suryakumar possesses in T20 cricket, where unconventional stroke play and aggressive batting are hallmarks of his approach. The seamer acknowledged that even when anticipating such shots, defending against them remains nearly impossible due to their unpredictability and execution. Suryakumar's ability to find the boundary through unorthodox means has made him one of the most feared batters in the shortest format.

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Madhwal has featured in 17 IPL matches across his career, claiming 23 wickets at an economy rate of 10.05, with his best figures standing at 5 for 5. His experience across multiple seasons has provided him with exposure to various batting styles and approaches at the highest level of domestic cricket. The seamer's transition to CSK marks a new chapter in his IPL journey after his initial auction setback.