Suryakumar Yadav began his tenure as India’s new T20I captain in style on Saturday (July 27). The right-handed batsman led his team from the front to guide them to a big total in the ongoing first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
The game did not start on the best of notes for the Indian captain as he lost the toss and the hosts opted to bowl first. However, India started strongly with the bat, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill coming out all guns blazing. They added 74 runs for the first wicket before bowing out on successive deliveries.
Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Gill on the last ball of the sixth over before Wanindu Hasaranga sent Jaiswal back on the first ball of the seventh over. India were in a precarious position at that point after losing two batsmen in quick succession. The onus was on captain Suryakumar Yadav to lead the team from the front and he did not disappoint.
The former world number one T20I batsman bailed India out of trouble with a brilliant half-century. Even though the team was backed up after losing two wickets in no time, Suryakumar Yadav played in his usual fashion and completed his half-century off just 22 balls.
He completed his fifth on the first ball of the 13th over by hitting a four off Maheesh Theekshana. And when Suryakumar Yadav reached his half-century, head coach Gautam Gambhir made sure to applaud the captain. Gambhir, along with other coaches and the players, were seen applauding in the dugout after Suryakumar completed his 20th half-century in T20Is.
Watch Gautam Gambhir Applauds Suryakumar Yadav:
Captain SKY takes flight 🛫
Watch the action from #SLvIND LIVE now on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4 and Sony Sports Ten 5 📺 🤩#SonySportsNetwork | @surya_14kumar image.twitter.com/TVciEoBpgm
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 27, 2024
Suryakumar departed after scoring 58 runs off just 26 balls. His brilliant knock was studded with eight fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, India finished their innings at 213/7 in 20 overs. Apart from Gill (34), Jaiswal (40) and Suryakumar, Rishabh Pant also played a crucial knock of 49 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka also got off to a good start as their openers added 84 runs to get the first wicket. At the time of writing this report, the hosts were at 149/3 in the 16th over.
