India’s new T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded the team’s character after a thrilling win over Sri Lanka in the third T20I on Tuesday, July 31 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. India managed to win the match in the super over despite Sri Lanka needing just 23 to win from four overs with eight wickets in hand.

However, Washington Sundar (23/2), Rinku Singh (2/3) and Suryakumar Yadav (2/5) turned the match in India’s favour with the ball and restricted Sri Lanka to 137/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Later in the super over, Washington dismissed Sundar Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka in just three balls and gave away just two runs. Later, captain Suryakumar Yadav chased down the three-run target on the first ball itself.

Reflecting on his team’s improbable victory, Suryakumar praised their character and ability to keep a cool head and swing the match in their favour.

“More than the last time, when we were around 30/4 and 48/5, I felt how the boys showed character in the middle and took the game away from them… I felt 140 was a par score on that track. When we went in during the fielding session, I told them, ‘I have seen games like that. If we put our heart and soul into it for an hour and a half, we can pull it off.’ If you enjoy hitting 200-220 and winning games, you should enjoy hitting 30/4 and 70/5 because that creates balance in your life and that’s how you move on and just be humble,” Suryakumar said in the post-match presentation.

The Indian captain also appreciated the level of the team and said that it makes his job easier. He also mentioned the camaraderie within the team.

I don’t want to be a captain, I want to be a leader: Suryakumar Yadav

“The amount of skill they have, the confidence they bring, it makes my job very easy. The positivity they have on the field and in the locker room, the care they show for each other is unbelievable. After the last game I said that few guys would rest and they were the first to tell me, ‘Okay, we will rest and you can give others chances.’ That shows the character of the team and how happy they are with the performance of others. They have made my job easy. When I go out to bat, I don’t feel any pressure, I just like to express myself. I said before the series that I don’t want to be a captain, I want to be a leader,” he added.

SL vs IND 3rd T20I Highlights

Meanwhile, after winning the T20I series 3-0, the two teams will now face each other in a three-match ODI series starting August 2. Senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return in the 50-over format.

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