"If batters keep dishing out such tasty balls and help like this on the ground, then my job will be easy as captain" - Suryakumar on Riyan Parag
Team India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav hailed the all-round display put on by his players to record a 43-run win in the series opener against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday, July 27. The newly appointed captain led from the front by scoring a brisk half-century while the bowlers managed to defend the mammoth total after a shaky start.
Suryakumar Yadav's 58 runs off just 26 deliveries helped India put on 213-7 after being put into bat first. During the run chase, Sri Lanka were cruising at 140-1 after 14 overs, on the back of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis' heroics at the top of the order.
The Men in Blue staged an incredible comeback after inducing a collapse. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 170 with four balls to spare. One of the decisive moments in the dying stages of the game occurred when Suryakumar Yadav surprisingly handed the ball to Riyan Parag in the 17th over with Sri Lanka requiring 56 runs.
The all-rounder responded with the crucial wicket of Kamindu Mendis and conceded only five runs. He returned to bowl in the final over and picked up two wickets off consecutive deliveries to wrap up the contest.
"I have seen Parag bowl before in the IPL, in the nets as well. I mentioned in the press conference as well that he has an X-Factor. If batters keep dishing out such tasty balls and help like this on the ground, then my job will be easy as captain," Suryakuamr Yadav said post-match in a video released by the BCCI.
"There is so much batting depth, so much skill in everyone. So you know that even if your skill does not work out one day, the rest will handle it. I don't want to be a captain, I want to be a leader," he added.
Suryakumar Yadav's reign as captain kickstarted with a win, but he has to brace for a quick turnaround with the second T20I scheduled for Sunday, July 28 at the same venue. The Men in Blue have the opportunity to wrap up the series with a game to spare after gaining an early lead.
"I had a talk with Gautam sir as well regarding how to bowl if I have to deliver the 16th or the 17th over" - Team India all-rounder Riyan Parag
There was an uproar regarding Riyan Parag's inclusion in the playing XI considering that the likes of Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube were benched. The all-rounder could not make an impact with the bat, scoring only seven runs off six deliveries before being trapped LBW by a searing full delivery by Matheesha Pathirana.
However, Parag managed to add value with the ball, and with India desiring more all-rounders in the top six who can contribute, he might be here to stay.
"I love bowling. I bowl as much as I can behind the scenes. There was a lot of communication in the nets, as to when I could be brought on to bowl and how to go about it. I was prepared to bowl in such a stage, I had a talk with Gautam sir as well regarding how to bowl if I have to bowl the 16th or the 17th over. The boys made it easy for me, I just had to bowl stump-to-stump, the ball was turning as well," Parag said in the video released by BCCI.
Parag ended with impeccable figures of 3-5 off just 1.2 overs. He did not avail the chance to bowl much during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to the impact rule being in place. He bowled a sole over during the tour of Zimbabwe, conceding five runs without a wicket.