Team India batter Tilak Varma revealed that he advised Suryakumar Yadav to take his time at the crease and focus on middling a few balls to regain his form during the fifth T20I against South Africa. Varma added that the Indian skipper is just one strong innings away from rediscovering his touch with the bat.
In the fifth and final T20I of the series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19, India defeated the Proteas by 30 runs. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted 231-5, with Varma top-scoring with 73 off 42 balls, while Hardik Pandya contributed a blistering 63 off 25 deliveries.
Despite the team’s victory and series win, Suryakumar Yadav struggled with the bat, getting out for five to Corbin Bosch after a mistimed shot. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Varma, who is Suryakumar’s Mumbai Indians teammate, shared details of their conversation while batting together. He said:
“I was just asking him to middle a few balls – wait and be calm and take a few balls. Take the feel of the middle of the bat – that’s what I was talking to him. If he gets that confidence, everyone has watched how he can play. Unfortunately, it was not his day again, but everyone is waiting for that one innings. If he gets that one innings, everyone knows how dangerous he can be.”
Tilak Varma Hails Bumrah & Chakaravarthy As Go-To Bowlers
While Varma and Pandya shone with the bat for India, Jasprit Bumrah (2-17) stood out with the ball. Varun Chakaravarthy (4-53) also made an impressive comeback after facing a tough challenge from the Proteas batters. Varma lauded both bowlers for their vital performances in Ahmedabad on Friday and stated:
“Everyone knows that Jasprit Bumrah has that extra nip in his bowling. Same way, Varun Chakaravarthy has that extra something in his bowling. He can take wickets anytime. These two bowlers are go-to bowlers. When the team needs a wicket, they’ll do that. The way Varun is performing consistently is good to watch. He should be doing that till the World Cup.”
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