Suryakumar Yadav’s introduction to senior India captaincy was nothing short of cinematic as he led the team to a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Australia in the first T20 International in Vishakhapatnam this past Thursday. The dynamic batsman not only captained the side but also powered the 209-run chase with a spectacular 80 off just 42 balls. This performance illuminated Yadav’s belief in leaving the ‘baggage’ of captaincy off the field and simply relishing his time at the crease.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Yadav, commonly referred to as Surya, shared his thoughts: “It’s a proud moment, whenever you play cricket, you think of representing India, it will take some time to sink in, but very proud,” he remarked. When questioned on how he manages his dual roles, Surya’s response was clear-cut: “I left the (captaincy) luggage in the dressing room. I just tried to enjoy my batting, whether I am batting 10 or 40 balls.”
The match, which posed a seesawing battle for dominance, found its equilibrium in Rinku Singh’s crucial performance. Despite having just six T20 Internationals to his name, Singh’s unruffled 22 not out off 14 balls served as the anchor as victory appeared to drift away. “The way the boys kept their nerve was great to see. It was a tailor-made situation for Rinku. His composure relaxed me also,” Yadav reflected on the budding cricketer’s pivotal contribution.
Another noteworthy performance that earned high praise from the skipper was Mukesh Kumar’s economical final over during the Australian innings, which cost a mere five runs. Executing yorkers with surgical precision, Kumar’s over was hailed as “huge” by Surya, illustrating the effectiveness of India’s fast bowlers. “The way all three fast bowlers pulled us back into the game after 16 overs. Incredible achievement,” he lauded.
Yadav admitted that the absence of dew, typically an advantage for the chasing team, was a factor he expected to encounter but it remained conspicuously absent. This, however, did not deter his confidence. “Thought there will be a little bit of dew but there wasn’t. It isn’t a big ground and I knew batting will get easy. Thought they might get 230-235 but the bowlers did really well,” the captain expressed his satisfaction with the team’s bowling efforts.
The burgeoning partnership between Yadav and Ishan Kishan, after a shaky start at 22 for two, also played a pivotal role in steadying the Indian innings. The duo, with their shared experiences playing for Mumbai Indians, demonstrated a camaraderie well-versed in navigating difficult patches of play. “We just wanted to be positive. Just enjoy and express ourselves,” Yadav divulged his mid-match advice to Kishan, highlighting the importance of dissociating from the pressure of the climbing run rate. Their collective experience in high-stakes T20 cricket, particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL), was instrumental in approaching the situation with the right mindset: “After 10 overs, it was a tailor-made situation. 100 off 60 balls happens every second day in IPL.”
The newly minted captain’s no non-sense approach to leadership has evidently resonated with the Indian squad, as it seamlessly translated into a composed quest for victory. As the T20 International series progresses, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav, not only for his scintillating stroke play but also for his captaincy which seems to knit individual brilliance into a tapestry of teamwork.
Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to more action from this thrilling series, and are invited to stay updated on the World Cup 2023 schedules, and for regular sports updates, fans can connect on social media platforms or through various cricket apps.