Yuzvendra Chahal, an Indian spinner, praised Suryakumar Yadav’s stupendous performance after his team’s third T20I win over Sri Lanka, saying he was proud to play alongside him. Suryakumar Yadav scored a blistering 112 as India beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs in the third and final Twenty20 International to clinch the three-match series 2-1 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.
a proud captain @hardikpandya7 takes the trophy as #TeamIndia Win the T20I series 2-1.#indvsl @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/hzpOrocYjU– BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2023
“After the first match, I had a discussion with the coaches – what pace and line to bowl. (On Suryakumar Yadav) He is batting at a different level and I am happy that I am in the same team as him. Axar is a perfect package. He is difficult to bowl to and at the same time he is a clean hitter as well,” Chahal said of India’s two star players at the post-match presentation.
Suryakumar once again displayed his brilliance in the series, smashing bowlers across the ground in the 360-degree manner that has become synonymous with his name. He emerged as the top run-scorer in the series, scoring 170 runs in three matches at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of over 175, with a century and a half-century.
Axar Patel was also awarded the ‘Man of the Series’ award for his all-round efforts. He scored 117 runs in three innings at an average of 117.00 and a strike rate of 195.00. This also includes a fighting innings of 65 runs in a losing cause in the second T20I. He provided important cameos for his team in every match with his willow. He also took three wickets in three matches at an average of 24.66 and an economy rate of 7.40.
With this, India has captured the three-match T20 series 2-1.
India won the toss and chose to bat first. After the Men in Blue lost Ishan Kishan (1) early, a quick cameo from Rahul Tripathi brought some momentum back into the innings. He scored 35 runs in 16 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. Shubman Gill was the anchor the whole time.
After Rahul’s dismissal, India had already crossed the 50-run mark in their powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav continued his red-hot form, thrashing the Sri Lankan bowlers left and right. Gill was dismissed for 46 off 36 balls, ending a quickfire 111 off only 53 balls. Suryakumar completed his third T20I century in just 45 balls and ended the innings with 112* off 51 balls with the help of seven fours and nine sixes. Axar Patel (21*) also provided a fine cameo to take India to 228/5 in their 20 overs.
Dilshan Madushanka (2/55) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors. Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha got one wicket each.
Chasing 229, openers Kusal Mendis (23) and Pathum Nissanka (15) got the visitors off to a good start as they put on 44 runs in 4.5 overs before Akshar trapped Kusal.
After this dismissal, the Lankans could not get back into the game and kept losing wickets. Only Dhananjay de Silva (22) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (23) crossed the 20-run mark. Lanka were bundled out for just 137 runs in 16.4 overs. Arshdeep Singh (3/20) impressed with the ball in the second T20I after a day off at work. Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and Umran Malik took two wickets each while Akshar bagged one wicket. Suryakumar was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ for his match-winning century. The three-match ODI series between the two teams will begin on January 10.