Cricketing legend Ravichandran Ashwin backed India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav amid his lean patch with the bat. In the 4th T20I against Australia, skipper Suryakumar came to bat at number four and scored 20 runs in 10 balls at Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast in Queensland
Ashwin, who has already retired from all forms of professional cricket, reckons that Suryakumar’s short innings might not look impressive on paper, but his quick bursts often have an impact that goes beyond numbers.
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Suyakumar Yadav is going through a lean patch in cricket since taking over the T20I captaincy. The Mumbai batter who is known for his destructive batting, has managed to score only two half-centuries since the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite recent struggles, he showed signs of rhythm in the fourth T20I against Australia.
Ashwin backed Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav smashed two sixes off Adam Zampa immediately after arriving at the crease to counterattack, but was dismissed in the 16th over while attempting another big shot against Xavier Bartlett. Considering Ashwin's 10-ball cameo, Ashwin praised the intent and the value of those quick runs in a game situation that required momentum in the middle overs.
“Ten balls for 20 from Suryakumar Yadav was extremely valuable. I always think in T20 cricket, 10 balls for 20 at a 200 strike rate is more valuable. Even today, Abhishek and Shubman had a decent partnership at the top, so Surya came in and gave that amazing impetus and momentum. I would always think 10 balls for 20 is far more valuable than a strike rate of less than 125, 120, or 130 in a T20 game, unless, of course, you are chasing a total,” Ashwin said on his channel.
“If you are chasing and players are going all out, one side has to play in double gear. But today, everyone knew that 160 was a good score. The way Shubman paced the innings was the way he had to play, and he did that. So credit where it’s due, but I am happy with Surya’s 10-ball-20. What he could do, he did,” Ashwin added.
India vs Australia T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav-led side defeated Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series after the opener clash was ended without a result. The last clash will take place on November 8 at the iconice Gabba Stadium.