Suryakumar Yadav characterized his explosive performance in the first T20I against Australia as “fearless” and expressed pride in leading the team to victory on his captaincy debut.
During the match, he delivered a powerful innings, scoring 80 runs off 42 balls, and together with Ishan Kishan, they formed a crucial 112-run partnership to successfully chase down Australia’s formidable 208 for 3.
In contrast to his modest contribution of 18 runs in the recent World Cup final against Australia, Suryakumar, leading the team in the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya, showcased his prowess in his preferred format.
He played aggressively, smashing four sixes and nine boundaries, outshining Josh Inglis’s 50-ball 110, and guiding India to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
When asked to sum up his playing style in a single word, Suryakumar, often referred to as ‘Mr 360 degrees,’ chose “fearless.” He acknowledged Ishan Kishan’s significant role in the successful pursuit of the challenging target, crediting Kishan’s 39-ball 58 after the early departure of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad for setting the stage for the courageous chase.
Reflecting on Ishan’s contribution, Suryakumar remarked, “I think he (Ishan) supported me exceptionally well. His presence and performance were crucial for me to maintain a fearless approach.” Suryakumar attributed his success in the chase to a remarkable strike rate of 190.47.
The final push for victory came from Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten with a composed 22 off 14 deliveries. Suryakumar praised Rinku’s calm demeanor under pressure, emphasizing the composure he displayed during the crucial moments of the match.
