Suryakumar Yadav, an Indian middle-order batsman says he is relishing the role of a finisher whose unbeaten knocks can steer the team home consistently, as he is enjoying a brilliant run of form.
In the opening T20I against the West Indies at Kolkata on Wednesday, India suffered a few hiccups after a flying start given by skipper Rohit Sharma (40) but Suryakumar Yadav revived their 158-run chase with an unbeaten 18-ball 34. The side eventually won comfortably by six wickets.
Suryakumar Yadav Felt It Was Important To Stay Till The End And Win Match
Given the shaky batting that cost India dear in the T20I World Cup last year and in the ODI series in South Africa last month, the side had been looking for someone to play the finisher.
“I think it was very important for me to stay till the end and win the game for my side,” Yadav said in the post-match media interaction.
Returning to the ODI fold in the 3rd match against South Africa in Cape Town last month, Suryakumar Yadav looked in fabulous touch with a 32-ball 39 but failed to finish their 288-run chase as India suffered a 0-3 series defeat.
“I have been in these situations many times, and whenever I have got out leaving 20-25 runs behind, I have felt bad after going back to the hotel. The situation was perfect tonight,” the 31-year-old added.
Suryakumar Yadav got good support from Venkatesh Iyer at the other end with the Kolkata Knight Riders pace bowling all-rounder taking initial charge in his 13-ball 24 not out. Suryakumar Yadav lauded Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive strokeplay. The duo put together a match-winning 48 runs stand from 26 balls.
“…the way he came to bat, his positivity was completely different, that passed onto me. He started his innings with a boundary, I felt it was the perfect platform for both of us to finish the game,” Suryakumar Yadav said.
Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma was at his best playing at his favourite venue as his 19-ball 40 gave India a flying start.
“The entire world is watching how he is a class player. He has played for many years for India, he is just batting in the same manner he always has,” Suryakumar Yadav said lauding his skipper.
“When he bats in the powerplay, if his timing is right then he tries to accumulate as many runs as he can in the first six overs,” he added about Rohit, who is also his skipper at Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Suryakumar Yadav further said he’s ready to chip in with his bowling if required.
“Whenever Rohit needs me, I am there…I am trying it. Whenever we turn up for practice sessions, we bowl at the nets. We don’t have a lot of bowlers in the end when our bowlers bat,” he added.
In seven ODI appearances so far, Suryakumar Yadav averages 53.40 with a strike rate of 103.08. In T20Is, his strike rate is 158.85 from 12 matches at a healthy average of 39.71.
Suryakumar Yadav Reckons It Was A Perfect Debut For Ravi Bishnoi
Earlier, young India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi showed his brilliant exhibition of googlies to return with an impressive 2/17 to be adjudged the man-of-the-match in his maiden international outing.
Terming it a perfect debut for the Rajasthan lad, Yadav said: “It was a good opportunity for him to play against one of the best T20 sides in the world. He responded well, the way he backed himself and bowled.
“There was a bit of dew, and it was not easy for the spinners to grip the ball. He executed everything well. And when (he was) under pressure, he backed himself with his best ball. It has been a perfect debut for Bishnoi.”
Down 0-1, the West Indies would look to bounce back in the second T20I at Kolkata on Friday and Suryakumar Yadav said the visitors can’t be taken lightly.
“I think they are one of the most destructive sides in the world, and we can’t count them out. The second game will be a challenge as it will be the series decider,” he concluded.
In his 4-over quota, Ravi Bishnoi gave away just 17 runs at an economy of 4.25 and he dismissed two West Indies batters. He picked both his wickets in the same over, which was the 11th over of the West Indies innings and he dismissed Roston Chase and Rovman Powell.