Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra lauded Suryakumar Yadav’s match-winning knock in the first T20I against Australia at Vizag on Thursday. While chasing a huge score of 209 runs, India found themselves in a spot of bother at 22-2 after losing both of their openers – Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal – cheaply.
SKY was able to hit the ground running and took the attack to the opposition. The Indian captain also completed his fifty with a six and went on to score 80 runs off just 42 balls with the help of nine fours and four sixes.
SKY scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 190.48 and thus batted at the top of his game. The talisman added 112 runs with Ishan Kishan, who also scored a crucial knock of 58 runs. SKY was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive performance.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Suryakumar Yadav – the good thing about his batting is that he puts pressure on the bowlers that they will have to do something different for him because he will hit if they bowl him a normal ball.”
“As soon as he walks out to the middle, you say that a deep fine leg is required, so you have to bring third man and mid-on in. So suddenly you are forced to play on Surya’s terms, which is very interesting.”
The reputed commentator also lauded Ishan Kishan’s crucial knock in the run-chase. Kishan smashed five maximums in his innings and he was able to handle the pressure despite playing a maiden over against Jason Behrendorff.
“Ishan Kishan played well. Jason Behrendorff bowled a maiden over but despite that, Ishan Kishan has something that Steve Smith doesn’t, he hit sixes while standing at his position. He is brilliant but he also got out.”
Chopra also heaped praise on Rinku Singh who added the finishing touches for India with a little cameo of 14-ball 22, which included four boundaries.
“Wickets fell after that and the match became very interesting. Then Rinku, who has matured through the IPL, came. He batted extremely well and won the match by hitting a six. The way he batted under pressure, for me, the two biggest stars of this match were Mukesh Kumar and Rinku Singh.”
The second T20I between India and Australia will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
