Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes the Suryakumar Yadav-led team should have breached the 300-run mark in the third T20I against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday.
On a batting paradise, India posted the second highest total in T20I history and the highest by a Test-playing nation – 297-6 after electing to bat first. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav scored 111 and 75 runs respectively and the right-handed duo added a massive alliance of 173 runs.
Hardik Pandya added the finishing touches with an 18-ball 47 but the team could not go past the 300-run mark.
“The biggest thing we should be talking about is that we scored 297 runs. Who would have thought that 300 runs can also be scored? No Test-playing nation had scored so many runs to date. 260 was the highest and now it has become 297,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Referring to Gautam Gambhir’s 97-run knock in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, Chopra light-heartedly said the head coach would say three runs are always left.
“Here the thinking is saying that it doesn’t matter if it’s a dead rubber, or one or two guys get dismissed in the middle, they would keep hitting from the start to the finish. I feel 300 should have been scored and Gautam will also say that three runs are always left. However, the approach was very refreshing,” Chopra added.
The reputed commentator hailed the captain-coach duo of SKY and Gautam Gambhir and lauded the team for playing like T20 World champions.
“The pairing of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav is doing a good job. They started in Sri Lanka, here also they did the same thing, and the way they are playing. Being the world champions is one thing but you want to show that to everyone and at times by shaking them,” he said.
Chopra showered praise on the team for playing selfless cricket in the shortest format.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a dead rubber and the opposition team lacks might, we would chase 300 while batting. When you went to bowl, you told the team that you were defending 160. Dhoni’s time was about process. Virat Kohli’s time was play to win. Rohit Sharma’s philosophy was fearless. Suryakumar Yadav is constantly talking about playing selflessly. This team is displaying that aspect,” Chopra observed.
India will next take on New Zealand in a three-match Test series.
