Suryakumar Yadav says he was comfortable at No.3 during his match-winning 62 against NZ, but is ready to bat at any position for Team India
Suryakumar Yadav in full flow against NZ at Jaipur on Wednesday. Pic/PTI
Suryakumar Yadav felt at ease while batting at his preferred No.3 slot, but knows very well that he will have to be flexible as per Indian team’s needs in the coming days leading up to the next T20 World Cup.
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Suryakumar, who is seen as a future India star in white-ball cricket, scored 62 off 40 balls to set up India’s five-wicket win over New Zealand on Wednesday.
The Mumbai batter came at No.3 in place of the rested Virat Kohli and created an instant impression with his dazzling stroke-play. “I have batted from opening to No.7 position. I am very flexible with the batting order. This No.3 role I have been performing for my franchise [Mumbai Indians] for the last three years so I didn’t feel much difference,” said Suryakumar at the post-match press conference.
“I batted the way I bat in the nets. All my shots are the same. I don’t try to do anything different. T20 cricket is to enjoy and that is what I try to do with my batting.”
Forgettable T20 WC
He was not able to make an impact in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup as India made a premature exit. Kohli sent Suryakumar to bat ahead of him at No.3 in the final league game against Namibia to finish the game and gain some experience. He ended up scoring 25 not out.
“I was very disappointed when I missed the New Zealand game with back spasm. I really wanted to make a mark in the World Cup which I could not. So it was really nice of him [Kohli].
Kohli’s sacrifice
“When I made my debut [against England] he was the one who sacrificed his position and let me go in at No.3 and he batted at No.4. He asked me [during the World Cup] ‘You want to go in?’ and I said why not. Really enjoyed coming back not out in that game,” he said.
Suryakumar should have finished the game on Wednesday, but his execution of a scoop shot went awry. India were comfortably placed needing 23 off 24 balls, but faltered in the final overs to bring the equation to 10 runs from six balls.
Suryakumar insisted there was no panic in the dressing room as experienced players like Rishabh Pant were in the middle.
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