He hadn't scored a half century before.
But his maiden 50-plus score was nontheless a match-winning effort and deservingly earned him the man-of-the-match award.
T Suman's unbeaten 57-ball 78, replete with six fours and three sixes, helped Deccan Chargers score a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.
Andrew Symonds gave him the perfect support with a spectacular cameo.
The Australian's 24-ball 53 was inclusive of five boundaries and three huge hits over the fence.
Suman and his veteran partner put on an unbeaten 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket - off just 46 balls - to take their team home with four balls to spare.
The youngster was quick to thank Symonds for his role.
"He (Symonds) has been of great help both on and off the field," said the ecstatic youngster.
He had earlier shared 77 runs for the second wicket (in just 51 balls) with his captain Adam Gilchrist (32) - a partnership, which in more ways than one laid the foundation of the Chargers' innings.
It was the Deccan Chargers' first win after five successive defeats - and fourth overall - and kept alive their hopes of reaching the last four.
The win also helped the team from Hyderabad square their head-to-head record against the team from Bangalore, the two having contested the final last year, to three wins apiece.
