Suryakumar Yadav Credits Middle Order and Hardik Pandya After India’s 101-Run T20I Victory Over South Africa

After India’s stunning 101-run win against South Africa in the first T20I at Cuttack, captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded his team’s performance, attributing the victory to the resilient middle order and Hardik Pandya’s explosive innings.

Captain’s Take on Batting Performance

Yadav admitted that he was initially uncertain at the toss but was delighted to bat first. “Scoring 175 runs on the Cuttack pitch and winning by 101 runs was beyond expectations,” he said. The captain recalled India’s shaky start, losing 3 wickets for 48 runs, and credited the middle order for turning the game around.

He praised Hardik Pandya, who scored a quick 59 off 28 balls, along with contributions from Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, and Jitesh Sharma, highlighting their crucial role in setting a formidable total. “Initially, we thought we might reach 160, but 175 was incredible,” he added.

Fearless Approach Encouraged

Yadav emphasized a fearless batting approach. “With 7-8 capable batters, there will be days when 2-3 don’t perform, but the others will step up. We want everyone to bat fearlessly and enjoy their innings,” he explained, reflecting the team’s positive mindset.

Bowling Strategy and Execution

The captain also praised the new-ball bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, along with Pandya’s performance after his return from injury. Detailing the match strategy, Yadav said, “Scoring 90-91 runs between overs 7-15 and adding 40-44 runs in the last five overs to reach 175 was outstanding. With abundant bowling options, defending 175 was manageable.”

This statement showcases India’s balanced approach with both bat and ball, highlighting the team’s depth, strategy, and fearless execution in T20 cricket.