Suryakumar Yadav has seamlessly stepped into the leadership role, guiding the Indian cricket team to a remarkable series victory against Sri Lanka in the T20I format. The young Indian squad, playing under Yadav’s captaincy, achieved a clean sweep by winning all three matches held in Pallekele, showcasing their resilience and skill.
In the third and final game of the series, India batted first but faced early setbacks, losing wickets swiftly. Shubman Gill emerged as the top scorer with a determined knock of 39 runs. Despite the modest total, the Indian bowlers displayed exceptional grit. They restricted Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, particularly in the final overs, to force the match into a thrilling tie.
‘When we were going in during our fielding sessions, I told them I had seen such kinds of games’ – Suryakumar Yadav
During the post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav praised his team’s character and determination. He highlighted their performance during the middle overs, where they stifled the Sri Lankan batsmen and turned the game in India’s favor while defending a target of 137.
“More than the last over, I feel when we were around 30 for 4 and 48 for 5, how the boys showed character in the middle and took the game away from them, I felt 140 was par score on that track and the way they batted. When we were going in during our fielding sessions, I told them I had seen such kinds of games. I think if we put our heart in for one, one-and-a-half hours we can pull it off,” Yadav remarked.
Yadav also emphasized the selflessness within the squad, noting how players willingly stepped aside to give others a chance to perform. This camaraderie and team spirit were pivotal in India’s success throughout the series.
“The amount of skill they have, the self confidence that they bring into the table, it makes my job very easy. The positivity they have on the ground and in the dressing room, the care for each other that they show is unbelievable. After the last game, I said few boys are going to rest and they were the first ones to tell me, ‘Okay we would rest and you can give opportunities to others.’ That shows the character of the team and how happy they are for others’ performance as well. They have made my job easy,” Yadav added.
The third match concluded in an electrifying super over after both teams were tied at 137. India secured victory on the very first ball of the super over, hitting a four to chase down the target of three runs, sealing the series in style.
This series win under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership marks a significant milestone for the Indian team, reflecting the depth of talent and the promising future of Indian cricket.
