"Gautam will also say that 3 runs are always left" - Aakash Chopra on India scoring 297 runs in IND vs BAN 2024 3rd T20I
Aakash Chopra has lauded Team India for posting a 297-run total in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 12. He light-heartedly mentioned that the head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played a 97-run knock in the 2011 ODI World Cup final, might be thinking about missing another milestone by three runs.
India set Bangladesh a 298-run target after opting to bat first. The Men in Blue then restricted the Bangla Tigers to 164/7 to register a resounding 133-run win and complete a 3-0 sweep in the series.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener praised Suryakumar Yadav and company for posting a monumental total.
"The biggest thing we should be talking about is that we scored 297 runs. Who would have thought that 300 runs can also be scored? No Test-playing nation had scored so many runs to date. 260 was the highest and now it has become 297," he said (1:15).
"Here the thinking is saying that it doesn't matter if it's a dead rubber, or one or two guys get dismissed in the middle, they would keep hitting from the start to the finish. I feel 300 should have been scored and Gautam will also say that three runs are always left. However, the approach was very refreshing," Chopra added.
Sanju Samson (111 off 47) and Suryakumar (75 off 35) stitched together a 173-run second-wicket partnership after Abhishek Sharma was dismissed cheaply. Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) and Riyan Parag (34 off 13) then took the Bangladesh bowlers to the cleaners as the hosts reached a record total.
"Being the world champions is one thing but you want to show that to everyone and at times by shaking them" - Aakash Chopra on India's approach
![All Indian batters adopted an aggressive approach. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/76cd5-17287901967329-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Indian team under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir are demonstrating why they are the world champions.
"The pairing of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav is doing a good job. They started in Sri Lanka, here also they did the same thing, and the way they are playing. Being the world champions is one thing but you want to show that to everyone and at times by shaking them," he said (8:25).
The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted the team's selfless approach under Suryakumar.
"It doesn't matter if it's a dead rubber and the opposition team lacks might, we would chase 300 while batting. When you went to bowl, you told the team that you were defending 160. Dhoni's time was about process. Virat Kohli's time was play to win. Rohit Sharma's philosophy was fearless. Suryakumar Yadav is constantly talking about playing selflessly. This team is displaying that aspect," Chopra observed.
Ravi Bishnoi disclosed in a post-match interview that the team management had asked the bowlers to limit Bangladesh to around 160. The wrist-spinner was India's most successful bowler, registering figures of 3/30 in four overs.