Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering knock against New Zealand in the first T20I on Wednesday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, in Jaipur, guided India to a five-wicket victory, leading 1-0 in the series.
While chasing 165, the Indian openers got off to a good start, contributing 50 runs for the first wicket. After the fall of KL Rahul’s wicket, Surykumar Yadav got together with skipper Rohit Sharma and took on the opposition. Suryakumar slammed 62 runs, off 40 deliveries, including three sixes and six boundaries, at a strike rate of 155.
Reflecting on his knock, the right-hander expressed that he was batting well in the nets, and just continued the good form in the match. In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Suryakumar said to Ravichandran Ashwin:
“I think SKY is not the limit, looking forward it should be a benchmark. I really loved the way things went for me on the ground. Just wanted to bat the same way how I was batting in the nets and really happy to be on the winning side.”
.@surya_14kumar played a brilliant 6⃣2⃣-run knock in the run-chase and won the Man of the Match award. 🙌#TeamIndia #INDvNZ @Paytm
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/5lDM57TI6f pic.twitter.com/d9cx6oAqzS
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2021
Suryakumar Yadav also revealed the game plan, when he and Rohit Sharma were out in the middle. Replying to Ashwin’s question about why he did not play his trademark extra-cover drive, Suryakumar said,
“I think their (New Zealand’s) preparation was really good today. They didn’t let me score in that area, but with the different shots that I have, I had to explore the other area.”
“I was just waiting at that time, I knew that they have a new bowler in their line-up. I played out Mitchell Santner, who was bowling really well. So, that is the call me and Rohit took and waited for the leg-spinner, who gave some loose deliveries, we just cashed on to it,” he added.
SKY isn't the limit 👌
Battle with Boult 😀
Birthday gift for wife 😊@surya_14kumar talks about it all in this interview with @ashwinravi99 after #TeamIndia's win in Jaipur. 👍 👍 – By @28anandFull interview 🎥 🔽 #INDvNZ @Paytm https://t.co/pPp17Ef51Q pic.twitter.com/hNQyLzfDTP
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 18, 2021
Really disappointed to not finish the game: Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav also expressed his disappointment at not finishing off the game for his team. He was dismissed off a full straight delivery by Trent Boult. Suryakumar tried to scoop the ball over short fine, but missed it completely, as the ball rattled his stumps. He said,
“Absolutely, really disappointed. I would have loved to finish the game, as it went in the end. But that’s how you learn and go forward. I have played Trent Boult a lot of times, and the same thing has happened there also.”
The right-handed batter concluded by dedicating the Player of the Match award to his wife, Devisha, who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday.
“It’s my wife’s birthday, so I will dedicate it to her,” said Suryakumar Yadav.
India will look to consolidate the lead on Friday in the second T20I against New Zealand at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.
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