Published: Aug 09, 2023, 10:57 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 09, 2023, 11:13 AM (IST)
SURYAKUMAR Yadav proved his match-winning credentials in the 3rd T20I against West Indies and blasted a 44-ball 83 to help India bounce back in the series. The match was a must-win game for the Hardik Pandya-led side who had suffered defeats in the first two matches.
Suryakumar Yadav has been rated as the best T20I batter and boasts a staggering record. In 51 T20Is Surya has played, he has scored 1780 runs at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 174.3. The swashbuckling batter has three centuries and 14 fifties to his name.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed a strategy that may help teams stop Suryakumar Yadav’s carnage. Manjrekar suggested the teams to bowl full-on stumps, forcing Surya to play towards long on and long off.
“The only way to minimise ‘Surya carnage’ is to bowl full, right upto him. Force him to play towards long on & long off, against the pace. Anything back of length, you will get neck strain watching the ball disappear into the stands,” wrote Manjrekar.
Meanwhile, India defeated West Indies by 7 wickets in the third T20I to stay alive in the series. India were 2-0 down and faced a must-win situation in the third game. West Indies opted to bat and posted a decent score of 159-5 in 20 overs. Brandon Kings’ 42 and Rovman Powell’s 40 helped the team put up the highest score of the series.
India’s start was not great as they lost Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over. Shubman Gill also departed for six. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma then added 87 runs together to put India on the brink of a win. Surya scored 83 runs while Tilak Varma made 49 to help India win a crucial game.
