Last Update: January 08, 2023, 09:21 AM IST
Suryakumar, Rahul Tripathi’s knock laid the foundation for India’s victory
Hardik Pandya was the happiest as the knocks of Tripathi and Surya shifted the momentum in India’s favor as they won the game by 99 runs to take the series 2-1.
It was Suryakumar Yadav when again India Landed on the ground in Rajkot on Saturday against Sri Lanka. After opting to bat first, the hosts lost an early wicket in the form of Ishan Kishan. But that initial success doesn’t help the audience much as Rahul Tripathi and Suriya leave no stone unturned to spoil their party.
Tripathi, who was playing only his 2Ra international game, scoring a quickfire 35 off 16 balls, before the Rajkot crowd witnessed another ‘360-degree show’ by Suryakumar. He scored an unbeaten 112 off 51 balls with the help of 9 sixes and 7 fours to take India to a mammoth score of 228/5. Moreover, it was his third T20I century which came in just 45th match of his career
Read also: IND vs SL: Suryakumar Yadav surpasses KL Rahul in unique T20 record after Rajkot century
Captain Hardik Pandya was the happiest as the knocks of Tripathi and Surya shifted the momentum in India’s favor as they won the game by 99 runs to take the series 2-1. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Indian captain said that such players and their valor always makes his job easier while leading the team.
“It’s definitely a lot easier because today it felt like it was ‘Sri Lanka vs Sun’. It makes my life a lot easier as a captain and that’s why I’ve always mentioned that a guy like him in limited overs. Very important in overs cricket. The way he plays, the way he plays some of his shots, it breaks the bowler’s spirits and helps the other batsman as well.
The Indian skipper also heaped praise on Rahul Tripathi whose flamboyant cameo propelled an Indian innings that suffered an early setback. Pandya said the intent of the batsmen forced the Sri Lankan bowlers to vary their lengths.
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“We all saw what Surya did but special mention to Rahul Tripathi for the kind of intent he showed. It’s something natural for him that can change pace. If you look at the first few overs, the ball was doing something and other batsmen in the dugout thought there was something in the wicket. But because of his intent, the ball suddenly stopped moving, he changed his length and it was all about the way he was chasing the game,” Pandya said.
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