Virat Bhai Came And Told Me That I Would Be Batting At No.3: Suryakumar Yadav

Indian cricket’s latest sensation Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that batting at the No.3 spot during his debut series against England helped him immensely.

The 30-year-old made his debut in the second T20I of the five-match series but with Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli doing the bulk of the work during India’s run-chase of 165, Suryakumar Yadav did not get a chance to bat.

He was benched in the third T20I as Rohit Sharma made his way back in the team after resting in the opening two matches.

Surya, however, made a return to the playing 11 in the following fixture at the No.3 spot where he immediately made an impact with a match-winning half-century.

He backed that innings with a breezy cameo of 17-ball 32 in which he smashed two sixes and three fours.

In an exclusive chat with Star Sports, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that prior to the 4th T20I, skipper Virat Kohli had told him that he will be opening in the next two fixtures.

“It is a great feeling. Earlier it seemed like the role will be slightly different because the planning was different during the practice sessions. But before the last game the team management and Virat bhai came and told me that I would be batting at No.3,” said Suryakumar Yadav.

“So, the confidence they showed, I just carried that forward into the matches. I have told them that whichever number they want me to bat, I can do that and I am flexible. But yes, getting the position I have been batting at for the last 2-3 years, I didn’t have to do much different and enjoyed a lot batting at that position,” added Suryakumar Yadav.

When asked about the mantra behind his success, Yadav said that he believes in backing his ability and in playing with a fearless attitude irrespective of whether he is batting in the nets or in the international arena.

“There is no secret according to me. The secret is only that there also we talk about playing fearless cricket like we do in the nets or in the practice games. So, we do that after coming here also,” said the 30-year-old.

The way Rohit Sharma or even Ishan Kishan express themselves there, they do the same thing here. I also had to follow the same thing. The sort of cricket I play there, the same way I played here and didn’t try to do anything different. I just tried to be myself and the results are there, I am very happy with that,” added Suryakumar Yadav.

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