I was angry Ishan Kishan didn’t give me a strike: Suryakumar Yadav

Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has heaped praise on the No.3 batter Ishan Kishan, who went on to score a 76-run knock off 32 balls with 11 fours and four sixes with the POTM award in the second T20I against New Zealand.

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Speaking in the post-match presentation ceremony, SKY joked that Kishan couldn’t give him a strike in the powerplay overs. Notably, Kishan and Surya joined the party at 6/2 in 1.1 overs, but went on to score 75 runs in the powerplay overs.

“I don’t know what Ishan had for lunch in the afternoon or what pre-workout he had before the game, but I’ve never seen anyone bat at 6 for 2 in that manner and still end the powerplay around 67 or 70. I thought it was incredible,” Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Chasing 200 or 210, this is what we want from batters - to go out there, express themselves, be happy in their own space. And that’s exactly what he did today. I was angry he didn’t give me a strike in the power play, but that’s okay. I had some time, played eight or ten balls, and I knew that later on, when I had time, I could cover it up,” he added.

Furthermore, Suryakumar Yadav also opened up on his achievement of a half-century in the format after a long gap. Interestingly, SKY couldn’t score a single half-century in 2025 with his highest score being 47.

However, he went on to score an unbeaten 82-run knock off 37 balls with nine fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 221.62 as India chased down the target of 209 in 15.2 overs. He stitched an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket with Shivam Dube.

“As I’ve said before, I was batting really well in the nets. Everything I did back home over the last two or three weeks helped. I got a good break to spend time with my family and friends, had good practice sessions, and I’m really enjoying what’s happening right now,” he stated.

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“I’m really enjoying what’s happening right now. The mood in the camp is very happy, and I want to keep everyone in that space. We want to continue playing the same brand of cricket, irrespective of what’s happening, and leave no stone unturned,” he concluded.

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