In a thrilling T20I series against Sri Lanka, India managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, with Suryakumar Yadav playing a pivotal role not just as a batsman but also as a bowler in the crucial final over. In a situation reminiscent of the T20 World Cup final a month earlier, India needed 30 runs off 30 balls. This time, Suryakumar stepped up to bowl the last over, defending five runs and taking two wickets to force a Super Over.
Sri Lanka's batting lineup struggled throughout the series, with significant collapses in each of the three matches, losing 9 for 30, then 7 for 31, and finally 7 for 22. The third game was particularly painful for them, as Rinku Singh, with only 60 career deliveries before this series, took two wickets in the 19th over. Suryakumar, with minimal bowling experience in recent years, then bowled the final over, which was not part of the initial plan but led to a Super Over.
During the presentation ceremony, Suryakumar expressed his confidence in the team's ability to win, even with a modest total of 137 runs. He praised the team's resilience, highlighting how they fought back after being 30 for 4 and 48 for 5, believing that a score of 140 would be competitive on that pitch.
Suryakumar's inventive captaincy was evident as he handed the final overs to relatively inexperienced bowlers, showing faith in their abilities. Riyan Parag, reflecting on the match, said the team remained calm and enjoyed the challenge, which contributed to their success.
Washington Sundar also played a crucial role, taking two wickets in consecutive balls in the 17th over, including dismissing Sri Lanka's captain Charith Asalanka and key all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. His performance continued into the Super Over, where he again took two wickets in two balls.
Reflecting on his performance, Sundar credited his success to staying calm and focusing on his task, thanking Suryakumar for trusting him in the crucial Super Over situation. He noted that they had done their homework on the Sri Lankan batsmen and that the pitch conditions helped his bowling.
Suryakumar's willingness to experiment was evident throughout the series, including his decision to use Riyan Parag's part-time spin during crucial moments. Parag, who was India's second most-used bowler in the series, expressed satisfaction with his performance, particularly his leg breaks, which he had been working on and successfully implemented in the series.
Parag's approach in the third T20I, where he bowled economically, focused on maintaining a line and length, allowing the pitch conditions to assist him. His efforts, along with those of Rinku Singh and Suryakumar's strategic captaincy, led to India's remarkable victory.