Suryakumar Yadav was at his best breathtaking best in India’s series-clinching 91-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Saturday (January 7).

Batting at No. 4, the dashing right-hander smashed 112 not out off 51 balls, propelling the hosts to a gigantic 228/5 in 20 overs. It was his third century in the shortest format of the game.

After the game, India skipper Hardik Pandya hailed Suryakumar, saying that his deputy is making everyone know that batting is very easy and if he was a bowler, he would be disheartened with the kind of shots he plays.

"He (Suryakumar) has been surprising everyone and making everyone know that batting is very easy. If I were a bowler, I would be disheartened with the shot he plays. He has played blinders after blinders," Hardik said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

The captain also reserved special praise for Rahul Tripathi (35 off 16 balls) and Akshar Patel (21* off 9 balls), who chipped in with handy contributions with the bat.

"Special mention to Rahul Tripathi as well, who played so well with the ball moving. Don't need to tell Sky much, whenever he finds a situation when he is not sure, we try to find a solution. More often than not, he has been doing it all on his own. Very proud of Akshar. This series will give him a lot of confidence. It adds a lot of value to the team as well.

"My motto is to back my players. These are the best Indian cricketers in the T20 format, and there is no place in international cricket of doubting. The way we played, I was very happy. The way we competed, it was heartening to see. On our day, we will pull it back and keep winning," Hardik added.

The two teams will now square off in a three-match ODI series, starting January 10 in Guwahati.