Suryakumar Yadav is liked by everyone in the Indian dressing room, according to all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who played a key role in India's 3-0 victory over the West Indies in a three-match T20I series that ended on Sunday in Kolkata.
Suryakumar Yadav has the extensive domestic experience, but he is a new face in the Indian dressing room, having only played seven ODIs and fourteen T20Is. However, he appears to have taken on the task of making things easier for the side's newcomers.
Venkatesh Iyer, speaking to Star Sports after India's victory in the third T20I against West Indies, said Suryakumar Yadav made him feel at ease in the middle during their 91-run stand, which helped India post 184 despite a slow start.
"That's what you need, guys bouncing off each other. When I went out there, even Surya was relatively new to the crease. I still remember the first words he told me- 'Aaj ek aur opportunity hai'," Iyer said.
"So, I think, when a senior player tells you that, it gives you a lot of confidence, you see pressure as a privilege. He is one of those guys who everyone likes in the dressing room, he has got great chemistry. It was wonderful batting with him, I was really enjoying his batting from the non-striker's end," he added.
India's best-ever death overs batting performance in T20Is - 86 runs in the last 5 overs - came thanks to Suryakumar and Iyer's 91-run stand in just 37 balls. When the team was in trouble, the two batters joined hands after losing captain Rohit Sharma, who batted at No. 4 on Sunday, for 7 from 15 balls.
