NEW DELHI: India captain Hardik Pandya on Wednesday heaped praise on Suryakumar Yadav after the Mumbai batsman's blitz helped India beat West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20 international in Guyana on Tuesday to keep the series alive.
Suryakumar smashed 83 off 44 balls in India's win in the must-win clash.
After India lost T20 debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill cheaply in pursuit of 160, Suryakumar took charge in a dazzling innings comprising 10 fours and four sixes.
Speaking after India's seven-wicket win, Hardik said seven batting options are enough in the playing eleven.
1/10:3rd T20I: SKY blasts India to win over West Indies
AFP
2/10:India beat West Indies
<p>Suryakumar Yadav smashed 83 off 44 balls as India beat West Indies by 7 wickets in the third T20I in Guyana on Tuesday to keep the series alive. </p>AFP
3/10:Rovman Powell
<p>West Indies skipper Rovman Powell dragged his side to 159-5 with a quick-fire 40 not out after winning the toss in Providence and choosing to bat. </p>AFP
4/10:Brandon King
<p>Brandon King made a run-a-ball 42 while fellow opener Kyle Mayers (25) and Nicholas Pooran (20) also made decent contributions for the Windies. </p>AFP
5/10:Kuldeep Yadav
<p>Kuldeep Yadav, recalled in place of Ravi Bishnoi, claimed 3-28 to lead the Indian bowling attack. </p>AFP
6/10:Axar Patel
<p>Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar picked up a wicket apiece. </p>AP
7/10:Yashasvi Jaiswal
<p>India lost T20I debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill cheaply in pursuit of 160. </p>ANI
8/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav then took charge in a dazzling innings comprising 10 fours and four sixes. </p>AFP
9/10:SKY falls
<p>Suryakumar Yadav fell clipping an Alzarri Joseph full toss to deep backward square leg. </p>AP
10/10:Tilak Varma
<p>But Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 49 and captain Hardik Pandya hit the winning six with 13 balls to spare. </p>AFP"As a group we have decided to bat with seven batters and we have to take responsibility, like it happened today if the batters score runs then you don't need someone at number eight," said Hardik after India's win in the third T20I.
"As Surya mentioned, they (SKY and Tilak Varma) play together and spend time together, good to have someone like SKY in the team and when he takes responsibility it sends a message to the others," the allrounder said.
Tilak Varma, playing his debut series, remained unbeaten on 49 off 37 balls as India chased down West Indies' 159/5 with 13 balls to spare.
