T20 World Cup 2024 – Rohit Sharma: ‘Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s partnership was crucial’ for India to post 181

Suryakumar and Hardik added 60 runs from 37 balls for the fifth wicket after coming together when Shivam Dube was dismissed, leaving India 90 for 4 in the 11th over. Three of these wickets were taken by Rashid Khan.

“Surya and Hardik’s partnership was very important for us at that time,” Rohit said on the host radio after the match. “We kept losing wickets there, so we needed someone to bat a little deeper. Surya did that well and so did Hardik.

“Two years ago, we came here [to the West Indies] and we played T20 cricket, so we understand the conditions a bit, and we planned [the innings] about what the conditions provide and based on our game plan accordingly. Getting a 180 [181] it was a great effort from our batsmen. We knew the bowling class had to come and defend that, and they did that well.”

Suryakumar, who was adjudged Man of the Match for his 28-ball 53, said the decision to bowl high – especially to Rashid – was deliberate, bearing in mind the slowness of the ball.

“When Hardik came in to bat, I told him that we need to bat with the same intention, not to leave it too much until the end,” he said. “It was going to be difficult to reverse the ball. I just told him to keep pressing the pedal and see where we are at the end of 16 overs. I’m happy that we reached 180.”

Suryakumar hit Rashid for 16 runs in six deliveries, with two fours and a brutal slog sweep for six.

“I started chewing gum more when he did [Kohli] he went out. But I knew I had played this stage before, and as the lefties came in, it got a little easier”

Suryakumar Yadav

“When I play, I am very clear in my mind what I want to do,” said Suryakumar. “There he is [Rashid] dishes, it is very difficult to choose him. I know what shots to play when I’m inside. He’s the best skater in the world, you can’t let him dominate. You have to go ahead.”

Suryakumar’s contribution – it was his second half-century in consecutive T20 World Cups – came at a rate of almost 190. He came in to bat at the end of the seventh over and soon saw Virat Kohli out. leave India 62 for 3 in the ninth over.

“I’m used to that [batting in the middle overs] and I played a lot there,” said Suryakumar. “I enjoy batting at that stage, between seven and 15 overs, when teams try to control the game.

“I started chewing gum more when he did [Kohli] he went out. But I knew I had played this section before, and as the lefties came in, it became easier. But I just backed up my game, backed up my passion, and most importantly my goal [which] it should have been good then.”