India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, played a crucial role in the 20th over of the 3rd T20I, successfully defending 6 runs against Sri Lanka.
Indian cricket fans were on the edge of their seats as T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav took on the responsibility of bowling the 20th over in the match against Sri Lanka, with the opponents needing just 6 runs to win. Despite not having bowled a single over earlier in the game, Suryakumar stepped up in the final over of the 3rd T20I, conceding only 5 runs and pushing the match into a Super Over. As Suryakumar’s remarkable performance with the ball gained widespread attention, fans also praised head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that a new era in Indian cricket had begun.
With Ramesh Mendis and Kamindu Mendis at the crease, Sri Lanka needed just 6 runs to reach the target of 138 against India on Tuesday. However, Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a surprising performance. Here’s how the final over unfolded:
Ball 1: Dot
Ball 2: Kamindu Mendis dismissed
Ball 3: Maheesh Theekshana dismissed
Ball 4: 1 Run
Ball 5: 2 Runs
Ball 6: 2 Runs
The match ended in a tie, leading to extra time where Sri Lanka managed only 2 runs in the Super Over. India easily chased the target, with Suryakumar Yadav hitting a boundary on the first ball.
After the match, Suryakumar credited the Indian batters’ resilience, especially after losing 5 wickets for just 48 runs, as the real turning point. He remarked, “More than the last over, it was the way the boys showed character when we were 30/4 and 48/5 that turned the game around. I felt 140 was a par score on that pitch. During the fielding session, I told them, ‘I’ve seen games like this before. If we give our all for an hour and a half, we can win this.'”
He added, “If you enjoy scoring 200-220 and winning easily, you should also appreciate battling at 30/4 and 70/5 because it brings balance to your life. The skill, self-confidence, and positivity the boys bring to the field and in the dressing room make my job easy. The way they care for each other is remarkable.”
With India securing a 3-0 sweep in the T20I series, attention now turns to the upcoming ODI series.