Having lost the first two T20Is, India were in a must-win situation heading into the third T20I against West Indies in Guyana on Tuesday (August 8).

In an all-important match, Suryakumar Yadav delivered for the Men in Blue and kept them alive in the five-T20I series by scripting a seven-wicket victory.

In the chase of 160, Suryakumar slammed 83 off 44 balls and added 87 runs for the third wicket with Tilak Varma (49* off 37) to help the visitors overhaul the target with 13 deliveries to spare. His knock was laced with 10 fours and 4 sixes.

After the game, Surya said India captain Hardik Pandya wanted someone to put their hand up and win the team the third T20I and he was glad to do that.

“It was really important to be myself when I went in to bat in the powerplay, that's what the team management also wanted. I have practised these (ramps and scoops) strokes a lot and I love doing that,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

He also praised young left-hander Tilak for his knock, saying that it gave him a lot of confidence.

“We (himself and Tilak) have batted together for a long time, we both understand how each other bats and the way he batted, it gave me a lot of confidence. It was a great innings from him (Tilak) at the other end,” Surya added.

For his whirlwind knock, Suryakumar Yadav was deservingly adjudged the Player-of-the-Match.

“It was running on the back of my mind (that India had never lost three T20Is in a row) but at the same time we spoke in the team meeting, our captain said someone needs to put their hand up and win the match, glad I was able to do that,” he concluded.

The penultimate T20I will be played in Florida on Saturday (August 12).