Suryakumar Yadav hit a 44-ball 83 after both India openers were out early to pace the visitors to a seven-wicket win over the West Indies on Tuesday in the third Twenty20 match.
Chasing 160 to win, India replied with 164/3 at Providence Stadium. Courtesy of his knock, Suryakumar Yadav was named man of the match.
Reflecting on his knock, Yadav spoke in the post-match press conference and said: “I did nothing different. I just went out and expressed myself, and everything kept falling in place the way I batted.”
When asked by a reporter if he had missed out on a possible third hundred, Yadav quickly corrected him and said: “Firstly, I would like to tell you it would have been my fourth hundred. (laughs).
“But seriously, I never think about milestones. Whether I am on 47 or 98, I play according to the needs of my team. I hit sixes or fours to reach the milestone. Whatever my team needs, I do that,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav walks off the field. (PTI Photo)
With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, Yadav spoke on his ordinary numbers in the 50-over format. In the ODI series against the Windies, he could not make his mark, getting scores of 19, 24, and 35 in the three matches.
Compared to his T20 record, his ODI numbers are pretty ordinary, and the right-hander did not mince words about it either. So far, he has played 26 ODIs and scored 511 runs at an average of 24.33.
In 2023, Suryakumar played 10 ODIs and scored an average of just 14 runs.
Speaking on the same, he said, “We have played a lot of T20Is, so it’s become a habit. We play T20 regularly, and all we need to do is express ourselves. But we do not play a lot of one-dayers, and ODI is a challenging format. This is because you have to bat as per the situation. For example, if wickets fall early, then you need to spend time in the middle ( play like Test cricket ), then in the middle play run a ball and then towards the end approach it like a T20 game.”
“Now whatever the team management has told me that I am following and trying to apply in ODI cricket, to take my time, and then play my game.” he said.
“My ODI numbers are very poor and there is no shame in accepting in it. Being honest is very important. Rohit and Rahul have told me that this is a format you haven’t played a lot and you need to think about. We want you to play 45 to 50 ball ( if you are batting in last 15 to 18 overs), and you play accordingly, ” he explained.
“Now it’s in my hand to turn this responsibility into an opportunity and how to contribute to the team’s success,” he added.
Surya also praised young Tilak Varma, who was 49 not out and was batting when the winning runs were scored, and said, “All credit to him; he is a star. He is mentally firm and clear in his mind.”
In the second T20, the West Indies survived a late scare to beat India by two wickets with seven balls remaining after the home side won the opener by four runs.
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