India vs West Indies: It was important for me to stay till the end, says Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav says he is relishing the role of a finisher whose unbeaten knocks can steer the team home consistently. In the opening T20 against the West Indies here on Wednesday, India suffered a few hiccups after a flying start given by skipper Rohit Sharma (40) but Yadav revived their 158-run chase with an unbeaten 18-ball 34. The side eventually won comfortably by six wickets. "I think it was very important for me to stay till the end and win the game for my side," Yadav said in the post-match media interaction.

Returning to the ODI fold in the third match against South Africa in Cape Town last month, Yadav looked in fabulous touch with a 32-ball 39 but failed to finish their 288-run chase as India suffered a 0-3 series defeat. "I have been in these situations many times, and whenever I have got out leaving 20-25 runs behind, I have felt bad after going back to the hotel. The situation was perfect tonight," the 31-year-old added.

Yadav got good support from Venkatesh Iyer at the other end with the Kolkata Knight Riders pace bowling all-rounder taking initial charge in his 13-ball 24 not out. Yadav lauded Iyer's aggressive strokeplay. The duo put together a match-winning 48 runs stand from 26 balls. "...the way he came to bat, his positivity was completely different, that passed onto me. He started his innings with a boundary, I felt it was the perfect platform for both of us to finish the game," he said. Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma was at his best playing at his favourite venue as his 19-ball 40 gave India a flying start.

"The entire world is watching how he is a class player. He has played for many years for India, he is just batting in the same manner he always has," Yadav said lauding his skipper. "When he