Published: Aug 09, 2023, 08:46 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 09, 2023, 08:46 AM (IST)
INDIA’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya lavished huge praise on SUryakumar Yadav after India beat West Indies in the must-win third T20I on Tuesday at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
Suryakumar Yadav bounced back with an explosive knock of 83 off 44 balls. After the early dismissal of debutant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, India swiftly regrouped with Suryakumar Yadav’s classy performance as he built an impressive 87-run partnership for the third wicket with Tilak (49 not out).
“As Surya mentioned, they (SKY and Tilak) play together and spend time together, good to have someone like SKY in the team and when he takes responsibility it sends a message to the others” said Pandya in Post match conference.
Pandya also revealed that absence of Nicholas Pooran helped India to keep their pacers back and also allowed Axar Patel to bowl his four overs.
“Very important (to win). We spoke as a group that these three games will be exciting. Two losses or two wins does not change the long term plans. We have to show we are ready when it comes to such (must-win) games. Nicky (Pooran) didn’t come out to bat and that allowed us to keep our pacers back, also allowed Axar to bowl his four overs” added Pandya.
Pandya also said that if Pooran wants to hit, he let him hit himself and also reckoned that Pooran will come hard for him in the fourth (upcoming) T20I.
“If Nicky wants to hit, let him hit me and that was the plan, I enjoy such competition. I know he is going to hear this and will come hard at me in the fourth T20I. As a group we have decided to bat with seven batters and we have to take responsibility, like it happened today if the batters score runs then you don’t need someone at number eight” concluded Pandya.
