Indian batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were struggling to change gears against Hong Kong on a slow pitch. After being put into bat by Hong Kong captain Nizakat Khan, India found themselves at 94-2 after 13 overs and it looked like they might only be able to post 160 runs on the board.
However, Suryakumar Yadav, batting at number four, was able to hit the ground running and came out to bat with intent. As always he scored all around the ground and the Hong Kong bowlers had no answers to his onslaught.
SKY took 26 runs off the final over, which was bowled by Haroon Arshad as he smashed four sixes, three of them coming off the first three balls. The right-hander went on to score an unbeaten knock of 68 runs off just 26 balls with the help of six fours and as many sixes. Yadav scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 261.54 as he played a whirlwind knock.
The 31-year-old added 98 runs off just 45 balls with Virat Kohli, who also scored an undefeated knock of 59 runs off 44 balls.
There was no surprise that SKY was awarded the Player of the Match as he played an instrumental role in taking India to an above-par score of 192 runs.
SKY said in the post-match presentation, “Some of them (shots) are predetermined, this format is all about what you think and how you prepare before you go out to bat. At the same time, you got to be staying in the present as well. I felt the wicket was a bit slow. My plan was clear. My role was to go in and take the tempo up and just express myself, I just loved it. (Adapting to different positions) you got to be flexible, you should be equipped to bat at any number and I have opened as well. I have batted at all number. I really enjoyed it.”
There is no doubt that currently Suryakumar Yadav is one of India’s best batsmen in the T20I format and he is in form of his life as he has been consistently producing the goods.
Yadav is going to hold the key in the upcoming matches of the Asia Cup as he is batting at the top of his game. India is once again expected to face Pakistan if the Men in Green beat Hong Kong on Friday.
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