Navjot Singh Sidhu was effusive in his praise for Suryakumar Yadav after the Indian batter played a match-winning knock against the USA in a T20 World Cup match on Wednesday. Suryakumar had not performed well in the first two matches against Ireland and Pakistan, but he rose to the occasion on the tricky pitch of Nassau County Cricket Stadium when India lost three early wickets.
Respecting the challenging conditions, Suryakumar built a crucial partnership with Shivam Dube, helping India secure a seven-wicket win in the low-scoring game. Sidhu highlighted Suryakumar’s ability to win matches for his team, stating that once he finds his rhythm, he becomes an invaluable asset.
The middle-order batter came to the crease following the dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma in the third over. By then, Virat Kohli had already been dismissed, leaving India in a precarious position at 10/2 in their chase of 111. Rishabh Pant also failed to provide stability, getting bowled by Ali Khan in the eighth over after scoring 20 off 18 balls.
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The USA had a chance to dismiss Suryakumar in the 13th over when he was on 22, but Saurabh Netravalkar dropped the catch while running back from the short third-man region. Suryakumar capitalized on this opportunity, completing his half-century off 49 balls and remaining unbeaten until the end.
“You cannot lose the match when Suryakumar Yadav plays. If he scores more than 50, invariably you will win the match. Why? Because of the pace at which he scores. That’s why I say the match could have changed to an extent if his catch had been taken,” Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Star Sports.
Navjot Singh Sidhu also emphasized how Suryakumar accelerated in the final five overs, putting immense pressure on the USA bowling unit.
“A catch went to third man when he was batting on 20 or 22, and you can see how quickly he went from 22 to 52. In eight balls, he hit a six over cover, then another six, and after that a four. It’s a blitzkrieg when he is batting. The bowler is helpless and hapless when he starts hitting,” Navjot Singh Sidhu explained.
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This performance by Suryakumar Yadav not only solidified India’s position in the tournament but also showcased his capability to turn games around with his aggressive and calculated batting style. His innings exemplified why he is considered one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket.
