In his first international match as captain, Suryakumar Yadav expressed satisfaction with his team's resilience in the face of pressure after India secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Australia in the T20I series opener.
Australia's Josh Inglis delivered a stunning performance, scoring 110 off 50 balls, marking his maiden T20I century, while Steven Smith contributed with a half-century as Australia posted a formidable 208/3. In response, Suryakumar's blazing 42-ball 80, combined with Ishan Kishan's explosive 39-ball 58 and Rinku Singh's composed unbeaten 22 off 14 balls, steered India to their highest-ever chase in T20Is.
Praising his team's resilience, Suryakumar commended the fast bowlers for their crucial contribution in pulling the game back after 16 overs, enabling India to regain control.
Expressing pride in leading the Indian team, Suryakumar highlighted the significance of representing the nation and cherished the proud moment of captaining India, admitting that it would take some time for the feeling to sink in.
Reflecting on his own performance, Suryakumar credited his aggressive approach, focusing on staying positive and enjoying his batting, which included a crucial partnership with Kishan. He acknowledged the absence of expected dew on the ground and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset during the chase.
Suryakumar revealed that he consciously separated thoughts of leadership while batting, allowing himself to solely focus on his batting performance. He encouraged subsequent batters to maintain composure and not let the game drift too far, acknowledging the tailor-made situation for Rinku Singh to finish the game.
Despite the loss, Australia's captain, Matthew Wade, acknowledged Inglis' exceptional innings and highlighted the positives for his team. He praised the efforts of his players, mentioning the bowlers' commendable performance despite the challenging circumstances and the close contest till the final ball.
Wade appreciated the team's efforts to hang in the game, emphasizing the positives and the resolve shown by the players, especially during tense moments.
(With Agency Inputs)
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