Indian Captain Rohit Sharma retired in second place from pursuit with back spasms but fifty Suryakumar Yadav took India through the Western Indies by 7 Wickets on the third Twenty20 from the five match series at Warner Park, St. Kitts on Tuesday. While Rohit came out from the beginning, Yadav reached 76 shipping 44 with eight crawling and four six, helping the tour team restore his superiority.
Yadav, which made his intention clear from Ball One, dominated the pursuit with a 360 degree stroke game. He made a partnership of 86-day with Shreyas Iyer as the couple to take a total of their team outside the 100-run sign.
Yadav reached the fifth only 26 balls in ninth with six feet on the feet against Akeal Hosein. But there’s more that will come. The next time, the Indian was tested by an Alzarri Joseph Bouncer but he indifferently riding a goalkeeper for four. “The brilliance is solely from Suryakumar Yadav … shows the flexibility, coordination and skills of his hands,” said the commentator.
Yadav was killed on the 15th but India stared at a comfortable victory, with the target to 30 times out of 33 balls with eight wicket in hand. Rishabh Pant completed the process with 33 unbeaten from 26 balls when India walked with 165-3 and the remaining six balls.
“When Rohit goes inside, it is important for someone to reach the 17th, but I can still be myself and express myself,” said Yadav, who claimed the match award player.
“I really like it because I have done it on the IPL (Indian Premier League) too. I just supported myself and enjoyed it.”
Previously, Indian Bowlers Hardik Pandya, 1-19, and Ravichandran Ashwin, 0-26, also slowed the home team, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar got Kyle Mayers’ key goal with a slower ball. Mayers scored 73 out of 50 balls, bringing his team to 164-5 competitive in the 20-Over contest.
Skipper Rohit also gave an update about his injury, saying it was not as serious as being seen and he hoped to be suitable for the remaining two matches. “It’s okay now. We have a few days until the next match, hopefully we should be fine.”
