Suryakumar Yadav sets benchmark in build-up to T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav was still spreading the joy as he walked in for the press conference after his spectacular 26-ball 68 against Hong Kong. India’s T20 stalwart looks like he is having a ball when he is out in the middle these days, and even during the 11-minute interaction, he wore a charming smile right through. Surya’s unbeaten knock came against a team comprising a bunch of semi-professionals, but still, his dominance was impressive. As he propelled India to a target that was beyond the batting credentials of Hong Kong, Virat Kohli bowed to him and decided to walk behind Surya back to the dressing room. Kohli, a man used to playing eye-catching knocks and grabbing the spotlight, was nearly lost in the shadow of Surya’s brilliance. For a man grinding back into form, Kohli was astounded by Surya’s nonchalance while dismissing the disciplined Hong Kong attack on a dual-paced pitch.

Surya himself is still getting used to the growing appreciation. “It was a heartwarming gesture from Virat Kohli. I have never experienced it. I was wondering why he wasn’t walking ahead and then when I realised, I asked him to walk together. He is much more experienced than me,” Surya said, expressing his awe at Kohli’s gesture. Surya’s game is everything that the new Team India management, under head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, promised to deliver. This is the brand of cricket they want this team to play: ultra-aggressive and fearless.

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Suryakumar smashed six sixes and as many fours in his sizzling knock of 68 not out off just 26 balls to lift India to 192 for two, enough to secure a 40-run win and a