"If he scores more than 50, invariably you will win the match" - Navjot Sidhu lauds Suryakumar Yadav's knock in IND vs USA 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Navjot Singh Sidhu has lauded Suryakumar Yadav for playing a match-winning knock in India's 2024 T20 World Cup clash against the United States of America. He noted that the unconventional batter invariably takes his side to a win whenever he plays a substantial knock.
The United States set India a 111-run target after being asked to bat first in New York on Wednesday, June 12. Suryakumar scored an unbeaten 50 off 49 deliveries as the Men in Blue registered a seven-wicket win with 10 balls to spare to book their berth in the Super Eights.
Reviewing the game on Star Sports, Sidhu praised Suryakumar for his match-winning ability and noted that his dropped catch was a game-defining moment.
"You cannot lose the match when Suryakumar Yadav plays. If he scores more than 50, invariably you will win the match. Why? Because of the pace at which he scores. That's why I say the match could have changed to an extent if his catch had been taken," he said.
The former India opener pointed out that the top-ranked T20I batter left the USA bowlers helpless when he took the attack to them after the reprieve.
"A catch went to third man when he was batting on 20 or 22 and you can see how quickly he went from 22 to 52. In eight balls, he hit a six over cover, then another six and after that a four. It's a blitzkrieg when he is batting. The bowler is helpless and hapless when he starts hitting," Sidhu observed.
Suryakumar was dropped by Saurabh Netravalkar off Shadley van Schalkwyk's bowling on 22. He smashed 27 runs off his final 17 deliveries on a difficult pitch to take India over the line.
"When Surya shines, his brightness is better than most" - Harbhajan Singh on Suryakumar Yadav
In the same discussion, Harbhajan Singh noted that Suryakumar Yadav shone brightly. He also praised Shivam Dube (31* off 35) for playing the supporting role to perfection.
"When Surya shines, his brightness is better than most, and who can stand in front of Surya? Shivam Dube also showed his colors along with him today. It was very nice to see the way they batted. That partnership set the tone not only for this match but for the upcoming matches as well about what this batting can do," he said.
The former India spinner added that the duo's partnership settled the nerves in the dressing room.
"The partnership came at a time when it was most required. They didn't get bogged down. They focused on singles and doubles, which was the right approach to drive the game here. Whenever they got a chance in between, they hit fours and sixes. This partnership calmed the little commotion in the dressing room," Harbhajan stated.
Dube joined Suryakumar in the middle when India were in a spot of bother at 44/3. The left-right combination stitched together an unbroken 67-run partnership to ensure a relatively easy win.