Aakash Chopra enthusiastically commends Suryakumar Yadav for capitalizing on the second chance and leading India to triumph in their 2024 T20 World Cup faceoff against the United States of America. The unconventional batsman smashed an unbeaten 50 runs off 49 deliveries.
India successfully restricted the USA to a score of 110/8 after electing to field first in New York on Wednesday June 12. The Men in Blue then elegantly chased down the target with seven wickets and 10 deliveries left securing their place in the Super Eights.
Aakash Chopra pondered on some of India’s batting strengths in a video posted to his YouTube account following the early dismissals of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. As for Suryakumar, he said
“Suryakumar Yadav scored runs. He takes a class of a few teams and this time that team’s name was USA. Although it was a difficult pitch and runs weren’t going to be scored that easily, we got to see a scoop and a sweep off Corey Anderson’s bowling.”
“The important thing was that he stayed till the end. He got a life for sure, (Saurabh) Netravalkar dropped a catch, but staying there was necessary, and he did that job.”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar Yadav hit two fours and as many sixes in his undefeated fifty. Saurabh Netravalkar dumped him on 22, and he made his buddy and former Mumbai cricketer suffer the price.
“Another box ticked” – Aakash Chopra on Shivam Dube’s knock
Aakash Chopra observed that Shivam Dube’s knock ticked one of the remaining unchecked boxes.
“Shivam Dube was there with him. So another box ticked. Suryakumar Yadav – 50, box ticked. Arshdeep Singh – four wickets, box ticked because he was proving expensive earlier. Now Shivam Dube, that was the last box that wasn’t getting ticked, and that too has happened. He scored runs which included a good six. He stayed till the end and I feel he too will play better once he leaves from here.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Rishabh Pant (18 off 20) was also performing well before falling victim to a low ball.
“Rishabh Pant was once again looking very good. The form he has had and the way he has played, he was batting incredibly well, but then one ball kept low. It’s like that here, it climbs sometimes and stays low on other occasions. The ball hit his stumps.”
Aakash Chopra
Pant’s dismissal dropped India to 44/3. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube then put up an unbroken 67-run combination to help the squad cross the line.