India started their preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024 on a positive note as Suryakumar Yadav yet again starred in the massive win against hosts New Zealand. The right-hander’s brilliant century was the turning point as he got India to a huge total of 191 for 6 after the good start at the top. Ishan Kishan’s 31-ball 36 was the second-best score while the other Indian batters failed to get going.
Chasing down the big score, New Zealand lost Finn Allen and they desperately would have wanted Devon Conway and Kane Williamson to play at a much better rate. The likes of Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham were dismissed quickly with the required rate creeping up ,while Williamson could not much from the other end. The skipper’s 52-ball 61 did not help the Kiwis as they were bowled out for 126 in the end. Here are the talking points from the game.
Suryakumar Yadav becomes second Indian batter to score two centuries in a year in T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav produced another gem of a knock and gave a treat to the fans out in the stadium with a stupendous century. The 32-year-old also became the second Indian batter to score two centuries in a calendar year after Rohit Sharma in T20Is. Rohit achieved the feat in 2018 with centuries against West Indies and England.
Tim Southee’s hattrick goes in vain
Tim Southee proved to be quite unlucky as he had to end up on the losing side despite picking up a hattrick in the final over of India’s innings. The experienced seamer got rid of Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar in a span of three deliveries and completed his second hattrick in T20Is. He also became the second bowler after Lasith Malinga to pick up two hattricks in the format.
Player of the match, Suryakumar Yadav said:
The plan was clear when I went into bat. At the 12th/13th over, we thought about batting deep and getting around 170-175 was a par score. Secret (behind his freak shots) is about the intent and you need to enjoy yourself. It's also about the work you do in the practice sessions. It's a great feeling coming here, having a full game and going 1-0 in the series feels good. I feel that I didn't think too much about what was happening. Just had my gameplan and it worked well. Fantastic crowd here.
Losing skipper, Kane Williamson said:
It was not our best effort. Surya's innings was out of this world. One of the best knocks I've ever seen. Some of those shots, I've never seen before. They were outstanding, we weren't upto mark. We didn't get momentum with the ball, didn't get enough wickets and didn't get momentum with the bat either. It was frustrating. Again, I'll say about Suryakumar, his innings was the difference. It did swing a bit (in the chase) and India did well to get some swing. Important to look at those few areas and improve. Need to look at the small margins. Sometimes, a special innings can happen, Surya is the best player in the world.
Winning skipper, Hardik Pandya said:
Can't get any better than this. Everyone chipped it but it was surely a special innings by Surya. We would have taken a score of 170-175. Bowlers did well and it was about being aggressive in the mindset. It doesn't mean taking a wicket every ball, but being aggressive with the ball is important. The conditions were very wet, so credit to the bowlers. I have bowled a lot, going forward I want to see more bowling options. Not always that this will work but I want more batters to chip in with the ball. I expect them to be professional, which they are. Give them the opportunity to enjoy themselves. It's about creating an environment where they are all in a happy space. I see many times in this team that all the players are happy for each other's success. And that's important. I don't know (about changes for the next game). I'd like to give everyone in the squad a chance but it's just one more game, so it's a bit tough.
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