4th T20I: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav Praises Team’s Resilience After Series-Sealing Win
Pune, Jan 31:
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav lauded his team’s resilience and positive intent after securing a 15-run victory against England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The win helped India seal the five-match series 3-1, with one game remaining.
India’s Fighting Comeback
India faced early trouble as Saqib Mahmood’s triple-wicket maiden reduced them to 12/3 within two overs. However, Yadav emphasized the team’s fighting spirit, particularly the 88-run partnership between Hardik Pandya (53) and Shivam Dube (53), which propelled India to a competitive 181/9.
"Three wickets in one over—it was tough for us. But the way they responded with positive intent, the way Hardik and Dube batted, it was great. We always talk about expressing ourselves, and that’s what they did," Yadav said after the match.
Bowlers Turn the Tide
England started strong, with Phil Salt and Ben Duckett attacking the Indian bowlers in the powerplay. Duckett raced to 39 off 19 balls, helping England reach 62/0 in six overs.
However, India’s spin attack staged a comeback:
- Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Duckett, and Axar Patel removed Salt soon after.
- Bishnoi then trapped Jos Buttler (2), reducing England to 67/3 in the eighth over.
"We knew the crucial phase would be post-powerplay, between 7-10 overs. That’s where we had to take control, and that’s exactly what happened," said Yadav.
Despite Harry Brook’s aggressive fifty (51 off 26 balls) keeping England in the hunt, Varun Chakravarthy (2/28) dismissed Brook and Carse in quick succession, pushing England to the brink.
Harshit Rana’s Dream Debut
Playing as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube, debutant Harshit Rana (3/33) made an instant impact.
- He removed Liam Livingstone early and later dismantled England’s lower order, dismissing Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton.
- His performance was crucial in restricting England to 166 all out in 19.4 overs.
"Harshit Rana stepped up incredibly when we needed him. His contribution as the third seamer was fantastic," Yadav praised.
Looking Ahead to the Final Match
With the series sealed, India will now play the fifth and final T20I at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Yadav anticipates another thrilling contest:
"Lot of fireworks, I’m sure."
Brief Scores:
India 181/9 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 53, Shivam Dube 53; Saqib Mahmood 3/35, Jamie Overton 2/32)
England 166 all out in 19.4 overs (Harry Brook 51, Ben Duckett 39; Ravi Bishnoi 3/28, Harshit Rana 3/33)
Result: India won by 15 runs, sealed series 3-1.