Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav delivered a match-winning half-century against Afghanistan in the Super 8 game of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 20. Despite India losing their openers early, Suryakumar commenced his innings cautiously and shifted gears in the middle overs. His crucial innings helped India set a formidable target of 182 for the Afghans.
Following India’s victory, Suryakumar attended the post-match press conference. However, the session took a humorous turn when a journalist mistook him for Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj. The journalist addressed Suryakumar as Siraj, only for the star batter to clarify the mix-up, revealing that Siraj was actually having lunch at the time. The room erupted in laughter as Suryakumar graciously handled the honest mistake before proceeding with his match analysis.
“Siraj toh nahi hai… Siraj bhai khana khaa rahe hain (Siraj is not here. He is having food),” Suryakumar quipped, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere of the press conference.
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Suryakumar Yadav has been instrumental for India, not just against Afghanistan but also in their game against the United States of America, where he stabilized the innings after early setbacks. Against Afghanistan, he scored a rapid 53 off 28 balls, following his crucial 50 off 49 balls against the USA, showcasing his consistent form in the tournament.
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India captain Rohit Sharma praised Suryakumar’s performance, highlighting the importance of his partnership with Hardik Pandya and the game-changing contributions of Jasprit Bumrah, who took three vital wickets.
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“Everyone came in and did their job, and that is critical for us. Suryakumar (Yadav) and Hardik’s partnership was crucial at that point; we needed someone to bat deep, which they did. We know Bumrah’s class and what he can do. It’s important for us to use him smartly regardless of conditions. He is willing to take responsibility and has been doing it for years,” Rohit Sharma said.
Suryakumar’s stellar batting and Bumrah’s exceptional bowling ensured India’s strong start in the Super 8 stage, setting a positive tone for the rest of the tournament.
