"Proving why he should be the captain" - Fans react to Suryakumar Yadav's blistering half-century in IND vs SL 1st T20I
Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav dazzled viewers with his batting exploits in the T20I series opener against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, July 27. The swashbuckling batter notched up a blistering half-century, his 20th in T20Is.
Suryakumar walked out to bat at No. 3 when the Men in Blue were 74/1 after six overs. The right-handed batter entertained fans with his strokeplay, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
The 33-year-old crossed the 50-run mark in the 13th over with a stunning boundary off Maheesh Theekshana. Suryakumar finished with 58 runs off 26 balls. Several fans lauded Suryakumar Yadav on social media for his wonderful batting performance. Here are some of the top reactions:
Many fans pointed out how the added pressure of captaincy didn't affect Suryakumar's counter-attacking approach.
"Who claims captaincy is a burden? Just see how SKY handles it! Second fastest fifty in his T20I career." wrote a fan
"Surya is enjoying the Captaincy role in T20I format, A champion from India." commented another
"He is proving why he should be the captain. Just like Rohit, he is leading in an aggressive manner." chimed in yet another
Yadav's knock ended in the 14th over. He was adjudged LBW off Matheesha Pathirana's bowling by the on-field umpire. The Indian skipper opted for DRS, but ball-tracking showed three reds and he had to walk back to the pavilion.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant were the top scorers for India as they finished at 213/7 after 20 overs
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first in the first T20I of the three-match series. India were off to a flying start, courtesy of a stunning 74-run partnership between openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Gill was dismissed on the last ball of the powerplay after scoring 34 runs off 16 balls. Jaiswal was out on the very next after an impressive 40-run in 21 deliveries.
Suryakumar Yadav was the top run-getter for India in the encounter with his half-century. Rishabh Pant had a shaky start to his innings and got a reprieve in the form of a dropped catch in the 13th over. Once set, the keeper-batter accumulated some curial runs, contributing 49 runs off 33 balls.
India registered 213/7 after overs. Matheesha Pathirana bagged four wickets, while Wanindu Hasaranga was the most economical bowler, recording figures of 4-0-28-1.