Suryakumar Yadav’s bold captaincy was the highlight of India’s thrilling win over Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (July 31).
Chasing 138 to win, the hosts needed just nine runs off the last 12 balls with six wickets in hand. When the visitors were staring down the barrel, Suryakumar and middle-order batter Rinku Singh stunned everyone with their bowling heroics.
The duo did a brilliant job in the penultimate and final overs to take the game into the Super Over, where all-rounder Washington Sundar showed his brilliance with the ball to script India’s easy victory.
Sundar dismissed Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka in just three balls giving away just two runs, which was chased down by the Indian skipper on the first delivery itself.
After the game, Washington Sundar heaped praised on Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership skills, saying that the latter has a big heart.
"Honestly, it’s amazing of him, amazing of his leadership skills to be honest because (with) 12 balls (left and) 12 (runs) to win and for him to bring Rinku (on), especially when Kusal Perera is batting, and Rinku got him out and Surya (then) himself came in the last over and won the game for us," Sundar said in a post-match interview, as quoted by PTI.
"We all know he has a big heart when he goes out there to bat but also he has a big heart in terms of leadership as well. All the credits to him and (it was) amazing of him."
Sundar, who scored 25 off 18 balls and returned with the bowling figures of 2/23 in the third T20I, revealed that Surya’s insistence on taking wickets in the middle overs was crucial to maintaining pressure on Sri Lanka.
"Surya kept telling us that one or two wickets in between game would definitely change and obviously in these kinds of games, low scoring games, even run-a-ball would put a lot of pressure on the batsmen because they need to get the job done especially when the wicket has something for the bowler," the bowling all-rounder stated.
"He kept saying that (with) one or two wickets in the middle, especially in the middle overs between 11 to 15, (we) will definitely be in the game and exactly that’s what happened. I hope the audience enjoyed the game because you won’t see such games every now and then but to be a part of this kind of a game and to be a part of this game honestly feels great," he further said.
Washington Sundar also expressed his surprise at being asked to bowl the Super Over by the Indian captain.
"Honestly I had no idea that I was going to bowl but after the batsmen walked out to bat, Surya just turned behind (to look) and he said ‘Washy you are on,’" Sundar said.
"I was very happy to be honest when the captain wants you to bowl in tough situations, especially in Super Over, I thought it was a great opportunity for me to step up and win the game for my country and thank God things went well," he remarked.
With this victory, India completed 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka in the T20I series. The two teams will now square off in a three-match ODI series, starting on August 2 in Colombo.
(With PTI Inputs)
