NEW DELHI: Suryakumar Yadav swiftly moved past his lackluster performance in the recently-concluded ICC ODI World Cup where he struggled to make an impact with the bat. Just four days after the conclusion of the World Cup, Suryakumar, who only managed 106 runs in 7 matches at an average of 17.66, was handed the the captaincy duties for the five-match T20I series against Australia and India's Mr. 360 rose to the occasion in style.
In his debut as captain, Suryakumar not only led his team to victory but also showcased his batting prowess by smashing an impressive 80 runs off just 42 balls, delivering a captain's innings.
Suryakumar (80) shared a 112-run partnership with Ishan Kishan as India chased down Australia's massive 208 for 3 to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
1/10:1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav leads India stat attack against Australia
AFP
2/10:India beat Australia
<p>India's two-wicket win is their second successful 200-plus run chase against Australia in T20Is after the six-wicket win at Rajkot in 2013. </p>Getty Images
3/10:Team India
<p>India is the only team to complete five successful run-chases of 200 or more in T20Is. </p>Getty Images
4/10:India's highest successful run chase
<p>The 209-run chase win in Visakhapatnam is India's highest successful run chase in T20Is. </p>PTI
5/10:India's highest total against Australia
<p>209/8 is India's highest total against Australia in T20Is, eclipsing the 208/6 at Mohali on September 20, 2022. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav (42-ball-80) slammed the highest individual score on captaincy debut for India in T20Is. </p>AFP
7/10:SKY is the limit
<p>Suryakumar Yadav eclipsed the 62 by KL Rahul vs Afghanistan at Dubai on September 8, 2022. </p>AFP
8/10:Man of the Match
<p>Suryakumar Yadav was named the Player-of-the-Match for the 13th time in T20Is, his second award against Australia. </p>AFP
9/10:Ishan Kishan
<p>Ishan Kishan joined MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant to hit two 50-plus scores by designated wicketkeepers for India in T20Is. KL Rahul heads the list with 3. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Josh Inglis
<p>With his maiden T20I ton, Josh Inglis equalled the Australian record of Aaron Finch to hit a T20I hundred off 47 balls. </p>Getty ImagesSurya had contributed just 18 runs in the World Cup final against Australia on Sunday as India lost by six wickets on the big stage.
During the match, former India coach and commentator Ravi Shastri heaped praise on Suryakumar and asked his fellow commentator and former Australia devastating opener Matthew Hayden how can someone stop Suryakumar Yadav when he was in such great form.
In reply, Hayden hilariously trolled Suryakumar Yadav.
The former Australia star opener said that someone should tell him (Surya) it's an ODI match.
Here how the conversation unfolded between Shastri and Hayden:
Shastri asked: "How do you stop Suryakumar Yadav when he is in this top form?"
Hayden replied: "Tell him it's an ODI match"
Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar also shared the conversation between the two former cricketers and reacted with laughing emojis.
The second T20I between India and Australia will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
