‘Was Dreaming of This Type of Innings When I Started Playing ODIs’: Suryakumar Yadav After Sensible Fifty vs Australia – News18

Flamboyant India batter Suryakumar Yadav scored a crucial half-century in the opening ODI against Australia on Friday in Mohali. Surya’s fifty was a big relief for the Indian team management as the selectors, coach and captain have backed him for the ODI World Cup spot despite his underwhelming numbers in the 50-over format.

Suryakumar passed the litmus test in the first ODI with a sensible half-century. The flamboyant batter took his time to get set before playing his outrageous 360-degree shots. The Mumbai batter showed calmness and also earned confidence with a much-needed half-century.

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The 33-year-old said he was dreaming of such a knock but expressed his disappointment for not staying unbeaten.

“I was dreaming of this type of innings when I started playing this format. Trying to bat deep and finishing the game, unfortunately couldn’t do it today but very happy with the result,” Suryakumar told broadcasters after the match.

The flamboyant batter revealed the changes he made in his game after failing to make a mark in ODIs and how he implemented them in Friday’s clash.

“I’d been wondering what had been happening for me in this format, the teams and bowlers were the same. I went back and reflected and realized I was probably rushing things a bit so I decided to play slower and take it deep,” he added.

Suryakumar played sensibly and didn’t go for the sweep shot which resulted in his dismissals in the last few innings. Right from the ramp, glance to the fine and textbook straight drives, Mohali witnessed a very different and calmer version of SKY.

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Surya further talked about his straight drives and not playing sweep shot on Friday.

“I think it’s the first time I haven’t played a sweep. This has come from the Chandu Pandit school of arts (on his straight drives),” he added.

Chasing the 276-run target, Shubman Gill once again stamped his authority with a 63-ball 74 and added 142 for the opening stand with the Asian Games-bound Ruturaj Gaikwad (71 off 77 balls) to set the foundation for victory, which, on paper, might have looked a bit more stretched than it actually was.

Surya hailed the openers for setting the platform for a clinical win.

“Really enjoyed watching the openers bat. Want to try and bat the same way, bat deep, try and win games for India,” he added.