In the cricketing spectacle at Visakhapatnam, India showcased a remarkable team effort, securing their highest successful run-chase in T20Is against Australia. Led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team exhibited resilience and skill to chase down a formidable target of 209. This victory comes just four days after the disappointment in the ODI World Cup final, reaffirming India’s prowess in limited-overs cricket.
In his debut as India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the best batters in T20 cricket. His aggressive innings of 80 off 42 balls played a pivotal role in keeping India in contention throughout the chase. Suryakumar’s ability to dominate the opposition bowlers and his astute captaincy set the tone for India’s pursuit of the mammoth total.
Following Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal, there was a brief stumble in the chase. However, Rinku Singh’s composed and impactful unbeaten 21 off 14 balls ensured India emerged victorious. Singh’s crucial contribution in the death overs showcased the depth in India’s batting lineup and the team’s resilience under pressure.
Ishan Kishan’s role in the chase was strategic and impactful. Despite starting with a maiden over against Jason Behrendorff, Kishan’s partnership with Suryakumar Yadav proved pivotal. The left-hander targeted leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, using the slog sweep effectively to score two sixes and a four in the 9th over. Kishan’s aggressive approach forced the Australian captain to withdraw Sangha from the attack temporarily.
Tanveer Sangha returned to the attack in the 13th over, but Kishan continued his assault. A four and a six towards deep mid-wicket showcased Kishan’s intent to take charge. Although Sangha dismissed Kishan in the next ball, the damage had been done. Kishan’s explosive 58 off 39 balls, coupled with a 111-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, tilted the advantage in India’s favor.
Reflecting on his impactful innings, Kishan revealed that the assault on Sangha was a planned move. Despite not being part of the playing XI during the World Cup, Kishan diligently prepared in the nets. The left-hander stressed the importance of targeting specific bowlers, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between runs and balls in a high-pressure chase.
“During the World Cup, when I wasn’t playing, I asked myself before every practice session, ‘What is important for me now? What could I do?’ I practiced a lot in nets. I was co instantly talking to the coaches about how to take the game deep. How to target certain bowlers. Being a lefty against a leg spinner, I know how the wicket was as I had kept it for 20 overs. When chasing 209, you must target a bowler you can hit. Communication was essential in the middle. I had a chat with Surya Bhai. ‘I’m gonna take this guy (down) wherever he bowls’ because we needed to close the gap between runs and balls. You can leave only a few runs for the batters at the back. It will be challenging for them to play the big shots straight away. I had to take my chances, and I believed in myself,” he said.
Kishan highlighted the significance of partnerships, especially after India lost two early wickets. Communication with Suryakumar Yadav was crucial in executing their plans in the middle. The strategic rotation of strikes and calculated aggression against specific bowlers laid the foundation for India’s successful chase.
“A partnership was significant as we had lost two early wickets. I’ve played with Surya bhai. We are in the same IPL team, so I know how he bats. We constantly discussed which bowler to target or how to rotate the strike. The way we executed our plans in the middle… That was when I thought we were in the game,” he added.
