Image Credit- AFP
Suryakumar Yadav finds calmness in the midst of
pandemonium. What other way to describe his actions in Twenty20 cricket?
Although Suryakumar hasn’t yet found his feet in Test
and ODI cricket, few people are as familiar with T20 cricket as he is. Maybe he
can’t have been confused by the craziness of T20 cricket, where attacking is
the only option most of the time.
For this reason, during the final 15 overs of an
innings, when the scenario resembles a T20 match, India attempts to use him
even in One-Day Internationals. When they lost their fourth wicket in the 29th
over of Sunday’s ODI World Cup final, Ravindra Jadeja entered the pitch ahead
of him.
Even Suryakumar was in awe of Josh Inglis’ strokeplay
during his blistering century in the first innings. To the extent that he was
observed practising one of Inglis’ shots in shadow.
Suryakumar’s time came now. He produced the’supla
shot’ on the fourth ball he encountered, lap-pulling Jason Behrendorff over
fine leg. He struck Sean Abbott for a four and a six in the following over.
In just 19 balls, Suryakumar quickly reached 37. On
the other hand, Ishan Kishan, who he has frequently played cricket with for the
Mumbai Indians in the IPL, was having trouble with 19 off 21. Legspinner
Tanveer Sangha had a favourable match-up for Kishan, but he had bowled his
first over for just six runs.
As 130 was needed in 12 overs, Suryakumar and Kishan
conversed.
In a similar manner, Kishan began Sangha’s subsequent
over by hitting him for a four and a six over midwicket. However, the following
one was thrown wide by the spinner, and Kishan took shelter in the deep extra
cover. Kishan later disclosed that he was asked to take a single on that
specific ball by Suryakumar. Talk about being aware of the game’s pulse.
Although Kishan scored 58 off 39, Suryakumar was
simply unbeatable. Like Inglis, he reached his half-century off 29 balls,
including a six.
Australia had bowled the slower bouncer with deep
third and fine leg in place to limit Suryakumar in the World Cup final. In the
tenth over, Abbott employed the same tactic. Suryakumar attempted to take
advantage of the ramp, but his shot lacked force, and the ball missed a
charging opportunity in deep third.
The seamen from Australia didn’t use that choice as
much here, for some reason. After being taken for a four and a six by
Suryakumar in the 17th over, Nathan Ellis attempted it as a last resort.
Suryakumar easily helped the ball over the deep-third defender, though, who was
within the 30-yard line.
When Suryakumar was eliminated by Australia, he had
scored 80 off 42, and India needed just 15 from 14. They wobbled towards the
end but eventually reached there with one ball to spare.
During and after the match, there was lots of praise
for Suryakumar – both online and on air. The best compliment, though, came from
Inglis at the post-match presser: “SKY did what SKY usually does.”