The skipper of the Indian T20I team, Suryakumar Yadav, did the unthinkable as he took up bowling in the ongoing Buchi Babu Tournament. On Day 3 of the match against TNCA, this dynamic willow wielder decided to take up the ball in the final over before lunch. In a shocker, he bowled a high full toss that saw the short-leg fielder scurrying for cover.
All this happened on the third ball of the over when Suryakumar lost his length and slipped in a full toss nobody was expecting. TNCA batsman Athish S R went for it in a trice, playing a power-packed pull shot on the front foot-forcing the short-leg fielder to duck in hasty retreat. Realising his mistake, Suryakumar quickly raised his hands in apology as he went back to his bowling mark, sheepish smiling.
— Cricket Cricket (@cricket543210) August 29, 2024
Given that Suryakumar is 33, it might not be a coincidence that he has started bowling. It could well be an indicator that the Indian team management wants him to work on his all-round skills to maybe seal a permanent place in the other formats of the game.
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Last month, during the final T20I against Sri Lanka, he bowled and picked up two wickets in the Super Over. Meanwhile, TNCA XI has reached a challenging 286 second innings runs. Athish made a workmanlike 57, while his opening partner Lokeshwar S made 73.
Mokit Hariharan chipped in with 52 to increase further the pressure on the Mumbai camp. Having scored 379 in the first essay, TNCA XI secured a sizeable lead of 223 runs after Mumbai was dismissed for a paltry 156. The target of 510 runs on the final day is a tall ask for the Sarfaraz Khan-led Mumbai team, which is almost insurmountable.
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The game, though, is now in the hands of the Mumbai batters with the impressive bowling performances from Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian with four and five wickets respectively. Trailing by 503 runs on Day 3, they are likely to give it a very good go with the top order batting, along with an aggressive approach, just in case a win is to be attempted in the most difficult circumstances.
