(July 31), With two wickets taken and just five runs conceded in the final over, Suryakumar Yadav sent the India vs. Sri Lanka third Twenty20 International to Super Over.
In the third Twenty20 International match between India and Sri Lanka at Pallekele, India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to accept credit for choosing to bowl the final over. Instead of going to his best fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, who still had an over remaining, Surya chose to come into the attack when Sri Lanka needed six runs to win in the final over with four wickets remaining. It proved to be a brilliant move. Surya led the match to the Super Over by taking a few wickets at a cost of just five runs.
In the Super over, Washington Sundar dismissed Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera in three balls, so it was one-way traffic. Suryakumar finished the series 3-0 after hitting a boundary off the opening ball while trailing three to win.
When questioned about his unplanned choice to bowl the final over, Indian T20I captain Surya stated that Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag’s partnership should be given the credit for winning as it made sure India reached 137 after being reduced to 48/5.
“I believe we displayed more character [with the bat] than we did in the previous over, when we were 30 for 4 and 48 for 5. On this track, a par score was 140. I told the boys you can succeed if you put your heart into it and I’ve seen these kinds of games,” Surya remarked.
Suryakumar won “Player of the Series” in his first series as the full-time T20I captain after two outstanding innings in the opening two games, but taking two wickets with his off-breaks in an exciting Super Over victory was the cherry on top. He could not stop complimenting his teammates for their valiant defense of a meek 137.
The level of expertise and confidence they possess enables me to do my job with ease. It’s amazing how much they care for one another. They made my job easy, so I can just express myself when I bat and feel no pressure. I have no desire to lead this team. He continued, “I want to be the leader.
Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka, was unable to explain why the middle order failed in each of the three games.
“I’m very, really disappointed, especially with the lower- and middle-order orders. Very poor choice of shots. Asalanka stated, “We gave Wanindu Hasaranga permission to hit one or two boundaries because we reasoned that the spinners were bowling.
I believe that we made a few poor shots in particular, and when the ball gets old, the shot selection needs to be precise. We need to take action beyond this and we cannot make excuses.The dejected Lankan captain continued, “I think the boys will do better. I want to see good batting performance in ODIs.“
