Pallekele, Sri Lanka — India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, demonstrated his exceptional leadership abilities in the first Ind vs SL T20I, guiding the team to a thrilling victory. Despite facing a formidable challenge from Sri Lanka’s top order, Suryakumar’s strategic decisions on the field were pivotal in India defending their total of 214.
Sri Lanka’s openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, gave the hosts a blazing start, racing to 84/0 by the ninth over, putting immense pressure on the Indian bowlers. With limited bowling options, Suryakumar turned to Arshdeep Singh, who managed to break the partnership by dismissing Mendis. This key wicket shifted the momentum slightly, but Sri Lanka continued their aggressive pursuit.
The game’s turning point came when Suryakumar introduced Axar Patel into the attack in the 15th over. Utilizing the pitch’s turn, Axar dismantled the Sri Lankan lineup, claiming the wickets of Kusal Perera and the well-set Nissanka. His spell significantly slowed down the hosts, who ultimately fell short, managing only 170 runs.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Suryakumar’s captaincy, highlighting his calm demeanor and tactical acumen. Suryakumar, however, downplayed the accolades, emphasizing his desire to be a leader rather than just a captain.
I don’t want to be a captain; I want to be a leader. That’s it. It felt good to see such good support here and in this country.
Suryakumar said in a video posted by BCCI on social media.
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A notable moment in the match was when Suryakumar handed the ball to Riyan Parag, who had struggled with the bat but excelled with the ball. Parag’s precise bowling on the spinning track earned him three wickets for just five runs in his 1.2 overs, showcasing his potential as a game-changer.
“This Riyan Parag can be special because I have seen him bowl in the IPL as well as in the nets. And I also said on the PC that he has an X-factor,” Suryakumar remarked, explaining his decision to trust the young bowler at a crucial juncture.
India’s victory not only marked a successful start to the series but also set the tone for the new leadership era under Suryakumar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. With a 1-0 lead in the series, India will look to secure an unassailable lead in the second T20I on Sunday.
