India batter Suryakumar Yadav was the toast of the Men in Blue’s T20I series-winning victory in the third and final match which was played in Hyderabad on September 25. He scored a brilliant 69 runs to help India chase down the 187-run target to pocket the series 2-1.
Thanks to brutal half-centuries from Cameron Green and Tim David propelled Australia to 186/7 in 20 overs after they were asked to bat first by Rohit Sharma who won the toss. Akshar Patel was the best bowler with 3/33 with the ball.
In reply, India lost Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for 30 runs in the powerplay itself. But then Suryakumar Yadav (69 in 36 balls) and Virat Kohli (63 in 48 balls) added 104 runs for the third wicket and put India on track for the victory which was completed when Hardik Pandya (25*) hit a four with one ball to spare.
However, in a post-match chat with teammate Akshar Patel, Suryakumar revealed he wasn’t well during the night as the medical team scrambled to treat him ahead of the series decider.
Akshar revealed in a video shared by BCCI, that he woke up early on match day and headed to the physio room where he witnessed turmoil and got to know that Suryakumar Yadav was being treated for stomach pain and fever.
“Actually, you (Akshar) were also facing this problem. I got to know this during the team meeting. There was a little issue. The weather changed and now we have started travelling as well. So I had a stomach ache and then fever.
At the same time, I knew this one is the decider. So I told my doctor and physio, ‘If this would’ve been the world cup final, then how will I react? I can’t sit like this.’ So I told them, ‘do anything - give me any medicine, injection - do everything you can to get me fit for the game,'" the 32-year-old said in the BCCI video.
“(And) once you have worn the jersey and are on the ground then the emotion is different," he added.
A cheerful Akshar, who apparently was suffering from the same ailment, then added whoever had issues during the night, starred in the third T20I.
“Whatever pill you took, seems something else. I think whoever was having issues at night, it was going to be their day," he said.
“So keep taking the dose on match day," quipped Surya.
While Suryakumar Yadav won the Player of the Match for his knock, Akshar was named the Player of the Series for his 8 wickets.
(News18 inputs)
