West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers displayed his fielding prowess with a brilliant direct hit that sent dangerous Suryakumar Yadav packing in the second T20I against India at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on August 6. Yadav, who posed a significant threat to the hosts, departed early, managing just one run off three balls.
The pivotal moment occurred during the fourth over of India’s innings when Ishan Kishan attempted a quick single off Obed McCoy’s delivery at mid-wicket. Mayers, ever agile, swiftly collected the ball and threw with pinpoint accuracy, hitting the stumps at the striker’s end before Yadav could reach safety despite his diving effort. The dismissal left India reeling at 18/2 after just 3.3 overs.
This was not the first time Mayers had showcased his brilliance in the field. In the previous T20I encounter, he ran out Sanju Samson in a similar fashion, reaffirming his reputation as a reliable fielder.
Magical Mayers hits the Bulls Eye, once again 🎯
..#INDvWIAdFreeonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/U117vZk2mz
— FanCode (@FanCode) August 6, 2023
Suryakumar Yadav, unfortunately, continued to struggle during the West Indies tour. In the first T20I, he managed a run-a-ball 21 in a closely contested match that saw India fall short by four runs. Prior to that, in the three ODIs against the same opponents, Yadav had only mustered 78 runs, with a top score of 35 in the third game. Despite his challenges, India emerged victorious in the ODI series, clinching it 2-1.
In the second T20I, Indian skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat. The team made one change to the playing XI, bringing in leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi in place of the injured Kuldeep Yadav. West Indies, leading the five-match series 1-0, decided to stick with an unchanged lineup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an update on Kuldeep Yadav’s absence from the second T20I, stating that he sustained a sore left thumb during a net session, rendering him unavailable for selection.
The match proved to be an enthralling contest, with both teams battling fiercely for supremacy. While West Indies showcased their fielding brilliance through Mayers’ direct hit, India aimed to bounce back and level the series. As the high-stakes series unfolded, cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly awaited the outcome of each match in this thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses.
UPDATE: Kuldeep Yadav got hit while batting in the nets and was unavailable for selection for the 2nd T20I due to a sore left thumb.#WIvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 6, 2023
West Indies Playing XI): Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (w), Rovman Powell (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy.
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan (w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi.
