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India captain Suryakumar Yadav was left impressed with the side's batting performance against South Africa in the first T20I of the five-match series. He also encouraged the players to continue playing fearlessly just like how they have been doing.
Suryakumar revealed that the team were initially aiming to get to a total of 160, so the total of 175 proved to be beyond expectations. With the Men in Blue being 104/5 at one stage of their innings, it looked like they would have to settle for a low score, but Hardik Pandya's phenomenal knock of 59 ensured that they posted a fighting total on the board.
“I mentioned at the toss that we were 50:50 but happy to bat. Being at 48 for 3 and then reaching 175 was fantastic. We initially aimed for 160, so 175 was beyond expectations," Suryakumar said during the post-match presentation.
“With 7-8 batters in the line-up, there will be times when others step up. We want everyone to play fearlessly and enjoy their batting," he added.
Suryakumar on not using Pandya in powerplay
When asked why Pandya didn't bowl in the powerplay alongside Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, Sureyakumar simply said that the other two pacers were the better options and that is why he went forward with them. The likes of Arshdeep, Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel clinched two scalps each while Pandya and Shivam Dube also chipped in with ba wicket each as South Africa got bundled out for just 74, losing the match by a mammoth 101-run margin.
“I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect bowlers to bowl at the start. The way they were bowling when they won the toss and bowled first, the way the new ball was being bowled by them, I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the better option," Suryakumar stated.
Action moves to Punjab
The crushing victory over South Africa saw India take a 1-0 lead in the series. They will be aiming to make it two wins from as many games in the next match that will be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Punjab on December 11.
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