India’s dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan in Colombo has spotlighted captain Suryakumar Yadav’s exceptional game sense, as lauded by cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar. The match on Sunday showcased why Surya is the right man to lead in high-pressure T20 scenarios.
Reflecting on the game, Gavaskar pointed to Suryakumar’s situational mastery. ‘Match awareness is crucial—you play as per conditions, and Suryakumar exemplified that,’ he remarked. ‘He fronted the batting order. Remember the USA game? India at 77/6, and Surya turned it around. Against Pakistan, joining at 88/2, he anchored till the 19th over with 32 vital runs, prioritizing stability over fireworks.’
Gavaskar delved into T20 nuances: minimizing dots without courting danger. Factors like pitch behavior, game state, and wind play must be read perfectly. ‘This is the edge Suryakumar brings to India,’ he affirmed.
Opting to field after winning toss, Pakistan watched India amass 175/7. Ishan Kishan’s 77 off 40 dominated, supported by Suryakumar (32), Dube (27), and Varma (25). Chasing faltered at 114 all out in 18 overs, with Bumrah, Pandya, Axar, and Chakaravarthy starring (2 wickets each), plus Kuldeep and Varma. Kishan grabbed Player of the Match honors.
Suryakumar’s leadership promises a calculated yet fearless approach, boosting India’s prospects in the tournament.