India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed why he decided to back Rinku Singh to bowl the penultimate over of the third T20I against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka needed nine runs to win with six wickets in hand in the last two overs to chase down 138. Mohammed Siraj had one over left but SKY decided to throw the ball to Rinku Singh.

The off-spinner didn’t disappoint as he conceded only three runs and accounted for a well-settled Kusal Perera (46) and Ramesh Mendis. Subsequently, SKY conceded only five runs in the final over to take the game into the Super Over. Thus, SKY’s move to bring on the spinners in the last two overs worked wonders.

“The decision for the 20th over was easy; the difficult part was for the 19th over. Siraj and a few others had their overs left. But I felt Rinku was better suited for that wicket because I have seen him bowling and I made him practice a lot at the nets. I felt it was right and that is why I took that call,” he said.

SKY reasoned his decision was based on the fact that a left-hander was at the crease in the 19th over. 

“I knew the 19th over has always been difficult for Indian cricket (laughs). That is why I gave the responsibility to Rinku. For a right-hander bowling to a left-hander, it is always difficult for the batter. It was great that he made the best use of his skill and made my work easy because now I have one more bowling option going forward,” he explained.

India was able to clinch the series by 3-0 as they came up with a collective show. The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Colombo on Friday.