(Source X)
In the exciting third and final T20I against Sri Lanka on July 31 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Harsha Bhogle, a well-known Indian broadcaster, praised Suryakumar Yadav’s exceptional leadership skills.
Team India secured a clean sweep of the T20I series with a thrilling victory in the Super Over. Bhogle expressed astonishment at Suryakumar’s strategic decisions, including the bold move to entrust Rinku Singh, a power-hitting batsman, with the ball, and even opting to bowl himself during the latter stages of Sri Lanka’s chase in Kandy.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh’s bowling heroics seal T20I series clean sweep for Team India.
In a thrilling conclusion at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh emerged as unexpected heroes for the Indian cricket team, securing a dramatic win in the third T20I and completing a perfect sweep of the series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
As the game approached a nerve-wracking super over, the balance hung precariously with Sri Lanka needing just nine runs from the final 12 balls with six wickets in hand. Showing remarkable leadership under pressure, Suryakumar took a bold decision, entrusting the ball to Rinku Singh, who was making his T20I bowling debut.
The right-arm spinner delivered superbly, especially in the 19th over of Sri Lanka’s chase of 138 runs. Under intense scrutiny, Rinku dismissed the well-set Kusal Perera, who had contributed 46 runs off 34 balls, and then accounted for Ramesh Mendis, who managed only 3 runs off 6 balls. He conceded a mere three runs in that crucial over, drastically altering the equation.
With just six runs required off the final over, Suryakumar initially contemplated Mohammed Siraj for the responsibility. However, mindful of the challenging pitch conditions, the Indian captain opted to bowl himself, marking his debut with the ball in T20I cricket.
Harsha Bhogle commented on India’s clean sweep of Sri Lanka.
Yadav’s calculated gamble paid off handsomely as the off-spinner maintained his cool, picking up two crucial wickets in the ultimate over. He dismissed Kamindu Mendis, who managed just 1 run off 3 balls, and Maheesh Theekshana for a duck, conceding only five runs in the final six deliveries. The match concluded in a gripping tie, but Team India clinched victory in the super over by chasing down the three-run target on the very first ball.
Suryakumar displayed exceptional skill, guiding the ball to the fine leg boundary for four, securing a sensational win and a commanding series triumph over Sri Lanka. Impressed by Suryakumar and Gambhir’s tactical acumen, Harsha Bhogle took to social media to praise the Indian captain for his daring decision-making.
Harsha Bhogle posted on X: “Who bowls Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav with 9 needed from 2 overs? Maybe the captain has the magic touch!”
Suryakumar Yadav was honored as the Player of the Series, while Washington Sundar claimed the Player of the Match award for his stellar performance in the thrilling third T20I against Sri Lanka in Kandy.
Sundar initially showcased his prowess with the bat, scoring a quickfire 25 runs off 18 balls. He then turned the game with his bowling, ending with impressive figures of 2/23 from his four overs. When the match went into the super over, Suryakumar entrusted the spin all-rounder with the ball, and Sundar delivered brilliantly. He picked up two crucial wickets in just three deliveries, conceding a mere two runs to the Sri Lankan batsmen.
