Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the top performers for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup Down Under. He has consistently scored runs in the marquee event at a brisk rate while batting at No. 4.
On Sunday (November 6), Surya once again starred with the bat, slamming 61 not out in just 25 balls to script India’s comprehensive 71-run victory over Zimbabwe at MCG.
With this win, the Men in Blue finished the group stage at the top with 8 points. They are now gearing up to face England in the semi-final at the Adelaide Oval on November 10.
Ahead of the semi-final, Suryakumar Yadav interacted with teammate R Ashwin for bcci.tv, where he talked about his success in the showpiece tournament.
“I only see the gaps in the field when I go in to bat. I have been just enjoying batting whenever I go inside. Just in a completely different zone altogether,” Surya said.
In five innings at the T20 World Cup 2022 so far, Yadav has amassed 225 runs at a remarkable average of 75 and an outstanding strike rate of 193.96, including three half-centuries. In particular, his lap shots and paddle sweeps against the fast bowlers have left the cricketing world in awe.
Asked if he ever feared getting out or if the shots he plays comes instinctively, the dashing right-hander said: “I have succeeded a lot of times than failing while playing these shots so the confidence is really high. I am just going out and exploding. That’s it.”
“I just try to play the format. It’s all about with what intent you go into bat. And as I said before also, I just try and score, try and get runs on every ball. And if there’s an opportunity then why not?” he added.
Ashwin then went on to ask Surya if anything is different batting Down Under since it was his first tour of Australia with the Indian team. To which, he replied: “Everyone asks this one question that you have never been to Australia, bouncy fast tracks and big grounds, you have never played there. What is your preparation going to be like but I said the same thing. When I practice back home, I practice at Wankhede where the bounce is pretty good.”
“Though the ground is not that big, the bounce is the same and they prepare good fast tracks for me so I practice a lot over there. Coming here (in Australia), I have always enjoyed batting on big grounds. Because I see those big pockets, I see the gap and I hit the gap and I run if I am in pressure or anything. So it hasn’t been a problem for me till now.”
