“We want everyone to be fearless” - Suryakumar Yadav reveals India’s success mantra after 101-run win over South Africa in 1st T20I

Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has heaped praise on his teammates after his side’s comfortable 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

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Delving into the details of the game, India was tasked to bat first after losing the toss. Hardik Pandya was the chief destructor, scoring 59* off 28 balls with six fours and four sixes as India posted a dominating total of 175/6 in 20 overs.

In response, South Africa got bundled out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs, losing the game by 101 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel scalped two wickets apiece. Speaking in the post-match presentation ceremony, Suryakumar hailed the middle-order batters for creating a major impact.

“I told at the toss that we were 50-50, but very happy to bat first. I mean, absolutely. At 48 for 3, and then from there getting to 175… the way Hardik batted, Axar batted, Tilak batted, and in the end Jitesh coming in, chipping in and doing his role, I think it was very important. At first, we thought we’d get to 160, but then 175 was unbelievable,” Suryakumar Yadav said at the post-match presentation ceremony. 

“See, with 7-8 batters, there will be days when 2-3 batters won’t have their day, but then the other 4 batters will cover it up and they did cover it up today. Maybe in the next game you’ll see someone else covering it up. That’s how T20 cricket goes, and that’s how we want everyone to play. We want everyone to be fearless and enjoy their batting,” he added.

“I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect bowlers to bowl at the start. The way they were bowling when they won the toss and bowled first, the way the new ball was being bowled by them, I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the better option. But then Hardik came in later on, coming back from injury, it was important to take care of him as well. And the way he bowled, I’m very happy with it,” he noted.

India will next take on South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh on Thursday, December 11.

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