IND vs WI: Suryakumar Yadav Delivers Shocking Update On His ICC World Cup 2023 Participation After Match-Winning Knock vs West Indies

Suryakumar Yadav, on Tuesday (August 8), enhanced his reputation as one of the best T20I batsmen in the world by playing a match-winning knock of 83 runs in the third T20I against West Indies.

India needed to win the game at any cost to keep the five-match series alive after losing the first two games. The Men in Blue, however, made a disastrous start with the bat while chasing 160. Both the openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal (1) and Shubman Gill (6) – failed to give the team a good start.

Team India were staring down the barrel early in the chase before their vice-captain once again rescued them. On a pitch where stroke-making was difficult, the world number one T20I batsman showed his class by scoring 83 runs off just 44 balls. Suryakumar Yadav also shared a decisive 87-run stand with Tilak Varma to all but seal the game in India’s favor.

The fans in Guyana witnessed a SKY special in the 3rd #WIvIND T20I ?

Not much later, they got to meet the Player of the match @surya_14kumar himself ?? #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xE6pKGtBgD

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 9, 2023

His knock was studded with 10 fours and four sixes. India eventually went on to win the game by 7 wickets and with more than two overs remaining. Apart from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma also impressed with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 49.

Suryakumar Yadav on his ODI career:

While the latest knock has once again enhanced Suryakumar Yadav’s reputation as a T20I batter, it has also highlighted the big gulf in his performance in T20Is and ODIs. While he has been performing well in the T20I ever since making his debut in 2021, his performance in the 50-over format has left a lot to be desired.

Speaking after the match-winning knock, Suryakumar Yadav did not shy away from sharing his views on his ordinary numbers in ODI cricket. During the home series against Australia in March, he was out for a duck in all three ODIs. And recently against West Indies, he registered scores of 19, 24, and 35 in the three matches.

“We have played a lot of T20Is, so it’s become a habit. We play T20 regularly, and all we need to do is express ourselves. But we do not play a lot of one-dayers, and ODI is a challenging format.

“This is because you have to bat as per the situation. For example, if wickets fall early, then you need to spend time in the middle ( play like Test cricket ), then in the middle play run a ball and then towards the end approach it like a T20 game,” said Suryakumar Yadav.

“Now whatever the team management has told me that I am following and trying to apply in ODI cricket, to take my time, and then play my game.

“My ODI numbers are very poor and there is no shame in accepting in it. Being honest is very important. Rohit and Rahul have told me that this is a format you haven’t played a lot and you need to think about. We want you to play 45 to 50 ball ( if you are batting in last 15 to 18 overs), and you play accordingly.

“Now it’s in my hand to turn this responsibility into an opportunity and how to contribute to the team’s success,” he added.

India and West Indies will now move to the United States for the last two T20Is, scheduled to be played on August 12 and 13.