The world’s best Twenty20 batsman, Suryakumar Yadav, said on Saturday that he was thriving in his role as a “game-changer” after scoring a century in India’s 91-run victory over Sri Lanka to win the series.
After choosing to bat first in the series decider in Rajkot, the hosts posted 228-5 on the strength of Suryakumar’s unbeaten 112 off 51 deliveries.
After that, India defeated Sri Lanka by bowling them out for 137 in 16.4 overs to win 2-1 and extend their home-field unbeaten streak in bilateral series to 12 dating back to February 2019.
With his third T20 hundred in 45 balls, Suryakumar, who is known as a “360-degree player” for his ability to play all over the field, demonstrated his class as the world’s top batsman in the format.
When you are getting ready for a game, it is extremely important to put pressure on yourself. Man of the Match Suryakumar stated, “If you do that in practice, it gets a little easier while playing the game.”
Suryakumar responded, “He just lets me enjoy myself, whatever I am doing,” when asked about his conversations with coach Rahul Dravid, a classical batting great.
“He tells me to just enjoy myself, express yourself, and try to be the game-changer on a given day” in any situation I find myself in.
“He has been surprising everyone and making everyone know that batting is very easy,” said Skipper Hardik Pandya of Suryakumar, also known as “SKY.”
“If I were a bowler, I would be discouraged by his shots. He has been playing blinders after blinders, and it is now becoming a habit.”
To entertain the raucous home crowd, the T20 sensation hit seven fours and nine sixes, including three off his signature scoop shot over fine leg.
After deciding to bat first, India lost two wickets in six overs, but Suryakumar and Shubman Gill scored 111 runs off 36 deliveries to set the stage for the total.
Ishan Kishan was caught at slip for a one by Dhananjaya de Silva when left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka struck in the opening over.
Rahul Tripathi, 31, who made his debut in the previous match, hit Maheesh Theekshana for three fours in the fifth over with Gill as company.
Tripathi struck fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne with two sixes each, but he was caught trying to score another boundary. Out of 16 deliveries, he made 35.
After hitting fifty in 26 balls, Suryakumar took charge with his all-around hitting, including three sixes with a scoop shot over fine leg.
Gill led the charge as he and Suryakumar defeated Theekshana by 23 runs in the 14th over.
However, Gill was bowled by leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga after scoring three fours and two sixes in 36 balls, and two more wickets fell before Suryakumar continued the charge.
In response, Kusal Mendis made a strong start but was bowled out for 23 by Axar Patel’s left-arm spin in the fifth over.
For his three wickets and 117 runs in the three matches, the left-handed Axar was named man of the series.
Pandya, fellow quick Umran Malik, and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal each took two wickets as wickets kept falling frequently.
Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm quick, got three, including the last one.
The tourists’ skipper Dasun Shanaka, who helped them recover from their first defeat in the previous match by scoring 23 runs off 17 balls, left the field shortly after.
Shanaka stated that the series had “a lot of positives” and that he was “happy” with his performance.
For the three one-day internationals between the two teams beginning on Tuesday, India’s top stars, including regular captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, will return.
