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On Tuesday, July 30, India registered a clean sweep against Sri Lanka at latter’s home in a thrilling Super Over win in the final T20I of the series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. However, this was Suryakumar Yadav’s first win after being officially named India’s T20I captain and also Gautam Gambhir’s first series win as the head coach of the side, the former went out to express how he looks up to himself.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, the 33-year-old Mumbai batter said, “Like I said before the series, I don’t want to be the captain, I want to be the leader.” While he also added that he has slight pressure when he walks out to bat, but at the same time he tries to enjoy it.
Suryakumar Yadav lauds team’s character after low-scoring thriller vs SL
The Indian T20I captain further went on to laud his team for their brilliant performance in a thriller, which saw the match go into a Super Over. The Indian batter reflected on team’s character and their ability to hold their nerve in pressure games.
“The amount of skill they have, self confidence what they bring into the table, it makes my job very easy. The positivity they have on the ground and in the dressing room, the care for each other what they show is unbelievable. After the last game, I said few boys are going to rest and they were the first ones to tell me, 'Okay we would rest and you can give opportunities to others.' That shows the character of the team and how happy they are for others' performance as well,” Surya added while speaking at the post-match presentation.
Speaking of the third T20I, the Charith Asalanka-led side won the toss and elected to field first. The home side restricted India to 137 in their stipulated 20 overs with Shubman Gill being the top-scorer with his 37-ball 39. Although, the hosts gave a good fight to the visitors with wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis scoring a crucial 41-ball 43 and Kusal Perera top-scoring with a 34-ball 46 to level the scores for the Lankans.
Although, the hosts took the game into the Super Over, but a brilliant spell from Washington Sundar, who dismissed Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka in just three balls giving away two runs, which the Indian captain chased down with ease, helped India seal the series with a win. The two nations will now take on each other in a three-match T20I series, starting August 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
