Suryakumar Yadav unleashed a scorching innings of 83 from just 44 deliveries, propelling India to successfully pursue a target of 160 runs against the West Indies in the crucial third T20 match. The victory was achieved with 13 balls to spare, underlining the do-or-die nature of the encounter.
Suryakumar Yadav’s exceptional batting performance has breathed new life into India’s T20 series against the West Indies. He aims to replicate this remarkable form in the 50-over format, where his performance has been less stellar, as the World Cup approaches later this year.
Yadav displayed his dominance by smashing a scintillating 83 runs from just 44 balls, propelling India to successfully chase down a 160-run target with 13 balls to spare in the critical third T20 match. This pivotal seven-wicket victory narrows India’s series deficit to 2-1 in the five-match series.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav, who was named the player of the match, humbly stated, “I didn’t alter my approach. I’ve maintained the same batting style over the past two years. Everything simply fell into place for me.”
Presently, the 32-year-old holds the esteemed title of the world’s top-ranked T20 batsman, boasting an impressive average of 45.64 and amassing three centuries in this format. In contrast, his performance in ODIs is less remarkable, with an average of 24.33 and a highest score of 64 in his 26 appearances.
Acknowledging this discrepancy, Yadav attributed the challenge to the limited number of ODI matches on the calendar. He candidly admitted, “To be frank, my ODI statistics aren’t quite impressive.” He highlighted that such conversations are openly addressed within the team’s dressing room.
Both coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have advised Yadav to approach his natural explosive game with patience, Yadav revealed. “In a format that I don’t frequently play, they encouraged me to rethink my approach. They emphasized, ‘You’re fully aware of the impact you can have in the last 10-15 overs. We simply want you to face 45-50 balls.'”
As he navigates this challenge, Yadav now holds the responsibility of making the most of this opportunity and adjusting his batting strategy in accordance with the team’s needs.