Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said he felt good after he scored a decent knock of 32 runs off 22 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand. India registered a comprehensive 48-run win at Nagpur on Wednesday to draw first blood in the five-match series.

Ahead of the ongoing series, SKY scored just 244 runs at an average of 12.84 in the last 22 innings and had a top score of 47.

SKY joined forces with opener Abhishek Sharma after India was in a spot of bother at 27-2 in the opening game but he played a decent knock and added 99 runs off 47 balls with the left-hander.

Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match presentation, “I mean, I felt good when I went into bat. It was perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation. I’ve been batting at that situation. And as I said earlier as well, I’ve been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when I play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And then not change my identity.”

On playing more shots on the off-side, SKY said, “I think it came naturally. I mean, whatever strokes I played, I’ve been practicing really well in the last 2-3 weeks. I’ve batted similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good.”

The Indian captain also showered praise on Abhishek Sharma, who scored a brilliant knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls in the opening T20I.

SKY concluded, “My fingers are crossed. I mean, the way he prepares, I mean, it’s not just how he bats in the games, but the way he prepares himself, the way he carries himself, when he’s in the hotel, in the team bus. I think all those things, small small things, it reflects on the ground and he is enjoying those fruits of that.”

The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Raipur on Friday.