Suryakumar Yadav played an instrumental role in India’s 56-run victory over Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 encounter at SCG on Thursday (October 27).
Batting at No. 4, Surya slammed 51 not out in just 25 balls, propelling the Men in Blue to 179/2 in 20 overs. His knock was studded with 7 fours and 1 six.
During his unbeaten innings, the right-hander was involved in a 95-run stand with Virat Kohli, who returned with 62* off 44 balls.
After the game, Suryakumar Yadav reflected on his match-winning partnership with Kohli.
"I think the thoughts and plans are very clear depending upon the situation when I am going in to bat. But my plans are very clear when I go in to bat. I look for boundaries, try and hit the gaps and run hard. When you are batting with him, you have to run hard as well."
"He just clears your thoughts. When I was batting, I was a little confused. He was just coming up to me and telling me what delivery you can now expect that from a bowler. So, it's a very good camaraderie and I am really enjoying batting with him right now," he said in the post-match press conference.
In T20Is this year, Suryakumar and Virat have aggregated 463 runs in just eight matches at a remarkable average of over 70, including two hundred-plus stands and two fifty-plus stands.
"I feel we respect each other's game when we are batting together. For example, when I am getting a few boundaries from one end, then he just tries and rotates strike, keeps the intent to look for good shots."
"It's just the respect we have for each other when both of us are batting together. We just enjoy batting with each other, and what shots he plays. We try and run hard as much as possible. It's a great thing and really looking forward to having more partnerships with him," added Yadav.
Talking about the pitch, Surya said it was two-paced and they had to adjust.
"You also have to assess the conditions. The last two wickets were completely different where we played today. It was a little slow, and the last game it was a little quick and bouncy wicket. So you have to adjust."
While the Netherlands bowlers couldn’t break the partnership between him and Kohli, Suryakumar had some words of praise for the Men in Orange.
"Actually, I have seen them play in the last few days, and I have heard they have won a number of T20 games."
"They have been really good. Their plans were really nice against all our batters. We really look forward to playing them more."
India will face South Africa in their next Super 12 match at Perth on Sunday (October 30).
(With IANS inputs)
