'If you have been no.1 for two years, you should...': Suryakumar Yadav makes a big statement ahead of Super 8 clash vs Afghanistan

T20 World Cup 2024: Suryakumar Yadav chose not to criticise the pitches in New York where India played their three group stage matches.

SportsTak Desk

• Wed • 19 Jun 2024

Suryakumar Yadav during a press conference in Barbados (Getty Images)

Highlights:

After two disappointing performances, Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten half-century against USA.

India have remained unbeaten against Afghanistan in T20 World Cups.

The no.1 T20I batter in the world, Suryakumar Yadav has emphasised on the need to adapt to different conditions and deliver for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash against Afghanistan. After batting on tricky drop-in pitches of New York which life made tough for strokeplayers, Suryakumar talked about what needs to be done when the conditions are unfavourable.

If have you been number one for two years, you should be able to bat in different conditions and change the game as per the needs of the team. That displays good batsmanship and that is what I try," said Suryakumar during a media interaction in Barbados on June 18.

"It's difficult to generate that force when there's no pace on the wicket and when someone has read your game nicely. So, at that time, you have to be very smart how you want to extend your innings.

"You have to change according to the situation, what team demands at that moment and talk to your partner who is inside, calm your nerves down and then take the innings ahead."

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Suryakumar scored 50 runs from 49 balls in the run chase against USA. This was the slowest fifty for an Indian batter in T20 World Cup. As India get ready to play at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Suryakumar talked more about the pitches in New York where a target of 120 was equivalent to 200 on flat pitches. The 33-year-old is looking forward to display his full range of shots against Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan.

"I was happy playing there as well (laughs). It's not that we weren't happy playing there, but we were playing for the first time, so yes, the conditions were different and little challenging as well. But we have played here (in West Indies), we know the conditions," the T20 veteran said.

"The practice pitches, yeah, they were a little spicy in New York. It was fresh. They made the conditions after they got to know there is a World Cup there. Here they have been making pictures regularly and they are much better than (USA).”

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Not affected by spin challenge

While pacers were getting help from the pitch in USA, spinners have come into play in Caribbean conditions. But Suryakumar remains unfazed about the spin challenge Afghanistan pose.

"That has always been my strong point (sweeps and reverse sweeps). I've tried to play the same way that I do in the practice sessions," he said.

Will Surya change his game if top-order collapses?

Suryakumar was also asked whether he would change his game if wickets fall early.

"Nothing like that has happened. We try to play the format of the game. If there are early wickets you still have to put runs on the board and bat with that same intent. That is what we try and tell each other to take the positive route.