Suryakumar Yadav played a key role in India’s narrow six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I in Lucknow on Sunday (January 29).

Chasing the paltry target of 100, the Men in Blue were expected to get over the line with ease but the Indian batters also found it tough against the Kiwi spinners on a turning wicket.

While Shubman Gill (11) and Rahul Tripathi (13) got out to Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi respectively, Ishan Kishan (19) and Washington Sundar (10) got run out.

When the hosts were struggling at 70/4, Suryakumar (26*) and Hardik Pandya (15*) batted sensibly, forging an unbeaten 31-run partnership to take India home with one ball to spare.

Speaking after the game, Surya said adapting to the situation was very important in the tricky chase.

“A different version of SKY today. Adapting to the situation was very important when I went into bat. After losing Washy, it was important for someone to take the game till the end,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony after receiving the Player of the Match award.

Suryakumar Yadav admitted that it was his mistake that led to Washington Sundar's run out.

“It was my mistake, it was definitely not a run, I didn't see where the ball was going.”

Sharing his thoughts on the pitch, Yadav said it was challenging and they didn't expect the ball to turn in the second innings.

“It was a challenging wicket. We didn't think it's turn this way in the second innings but it's important to adapt. We just needed one hit in that over and it was very important to calm our nerves. Before we got the winning runs, he (Hardik) came and told me 'you are going to finish on this ball' and that gave me a lot of confidence,” he concluded.

With this victory, India levelled the three-match series 1-1. Ahmedabad will host the third and final T20I on Wednesday (February 1).