Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav's Iconic Catch Inspires Nepal's Rohit Paudel to Emulate BrillianceIn the heart-stopping final of the T20 World Cup 2024, Suryakumar Yadav's gravity-defying catch against South Africa etched itself into the annals of cricket history. The moment, which turned the tide in India's favor, has become a benchmark for fielding excellence.Inspired by Suryakumar's brilliance, Nepal's rising star Rohit Paudel has showcased his own remarkable fielding prowess in the Global T20 Canada. Playing for the Toronto Nationals, Paudel replicated Suryakumar's breathtaking catch with astonishing precision.Facing a delivery from Junaid Siddique, Brampton Wolves' Akhil Kumar unleashed a powerful shot towards the boundary. Paudel, positioned at the ropes, sprinted to his right, caught the ball, and released it just as he crossed the boundary line. With lightning-fast reflexes, he then re-entered the field to complete the catch.The social media account of Global T20 Canada hailed Paudel's efforts, declaring, "A catch that would make even Suryakumar proud."Suryakumar's catch in the T20 World Cup final earned him the Fielder Medal of the Match. His dismissal of David Miller, who was threatening to snatch victory from India, proved pivotal in securing the crucial seven-run win.Needing 16 runs from the final over, South Africa had the dangerous Miller on strike. He connected with a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya, but Suryakumar, positioned at long-off, steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, and released it just as he went over the boundary line. With remarkable agility, he then came back in to complete the catch, extinguishing South Africa's hopes of victory.Paudel's emulation of Suryakumar's catch highlights the growing influence of the Indian star on the global cricketing landscape. His fielding prowess has set a new standard, inspiring young players around the world to push the boundaries of their abilities.

India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his desire to be recognized as a leader rather than merely a captain. His astute captaincy skills were evident in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, where he guided India to a successful defense of their total.Faced with a daunting chase of 214, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, threatened to spoil India's plans. However, Suryakumar's tactical brilliance came to the fore. He brought back Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed Mendis, and then introduced Axar Patel, whose spin wizardry removed Perera and Nissanka, effectively turning the tide in India's favor.Suryakumar's leadership qualities were lauded by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. However, Suryakumar aspires to be more than just a captain. "I don't want to be a captain; I want to be a leader," he stated.One of the highlights of the match was Suryakumar's decision to hand the ball to Riyan Parag. Despite failing with the bat, Parag proved his worth with the ball, claiming three wickets for just five runs in 1.2 overs. Suryakumar explained his rationale for giving Parag the opportunity, citing his impressive bowling skills in the IPL and nets.India ultimately defended their total, restricting Sri Lanka to 170. With a 1-0 lead in the series, India secured an unassailable advantage in the second T20I.

India's newly appointed T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and a fearless approach following his team's back-to-back triumphs against Sri Lanka. The Indian side secured the T20I series with a 43-run victory on Saturday, followed by a seven-wicket win on Sunday in Pallekele.In his post-match statements, Surya was unequivocal about the team's future strategy in the shortest format. "We spoke about this before the start of the tournament - what brand of cricket we want to play. This is the template we want to go ahead with," said Suryakumar, who has been phenomenal as usual with the willow on both the days.The match was interrupted by a sudden downpour, which resulted in a reduction of overs. As a consequence, the target was adjusted to 78 runs in 8 overs. This occurred after Sri Lanka experienced yet another batting collapse. They had reached a promising position of 130 for 2 in 15 overs, but their innings faltered, and they were eventually restricted to 161 for 9."With the weather around, anything below 160 would have been nice. Rain helped us. The way the boys batted was wonderful," he said.As the team approaches the final game, which holds little significance, a question was posed to Surya regarding the potential inclusion of reserve players in the lineup. "We'll sit and decide (when asked if they'll test their bench strength). Very happy for the boys. Showed a lot of character in tough situations."Ravi Bishnoi, India's resident googly specialist in the shortest format, was pleased that his wrong 'uns have been consistently effective. "The pitch was a little different from yesterday. It was turning a bit. Today, in the first innings it was helping the spinners. I stick to my plans.""I just love bowling the wrong 'uns. It's a good responsibility to have (bowling in the death), as it means the captain and the management trust me."Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka expressed his disappointment with the middle-order's performance during crucial moments of the game. This is not the first time he has voiced his frustration regarding this issue. "I am really disappointed with the way we batted at the death. We must really improve. This pitch, when the ball gets older, it gets tough to bat. As professional cricketers, we have to do better.""We were behind by 15-18 runs. Weather also played its part. It's not easy to bowl eight overs with a wet outfield," Asalanka said.

India's newly appointed T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, has earned praise from all-rounder Axar Patel for his leadership style. Patel described Yadav as a "bowlers' captain" who empowers his bowlers to execute their plans with confidence.In the recently concluded first T20I against Sri Lanka, Patel witnessed firsthand Yadav's approach. "He gives you free hand (in a way) that you decide first," Patel said. "Whenever you get hit, he comes and says that it was a good ball. He keeps giving you inputs."Patel emphasized the importance of this support for bowlers, as it instills confidence and allows them to take risks. "As a bowler, you get confidence from that if the captain is backing you and telling you that you can do this," he said.Patel also highlighted the team's focus on maximizing its batting combinations. In the first T20I, India experimented with a batting order that featured a balanced mix of left-handed and right-handed batters. This strategy aims to keep the opposition bowlers guessing and maintain a consistent scoring rate."Our team has four lefties and four righties," Patel explained. "If there is a left-right combination (in the middle), it becomes very hard for the bowlers to maintain the line and lengths consistently."Patel also touched upon the team's new coaching staff, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir. While acknowledging that there will be some changes in approach, Patel emphasized that the team's core values will remain intact."When we were talking in the team meeting, they also said the same thing that the coach and captain keep changing but the team remains the same and the 11 or 15 players who stay, they have to do it," Patel said. "They have told us that we will play the way we have been playing."

Team India's new era under captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir commenced with a resounding 43-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.India, batting first, amassed a formidable 213 for 7, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge with a blistering 58 off 26 balls. Sri Lanka's chase appeared promising, with opener Pathum Nissanka anchoring the innings with a brilliant 79 off 48 balls. However, Axar Patel's crucial intervention in the 15th over, dismissing both Nissanka and Kusal Perera, swung the momentum in India's favor.Riyan Parag, playing only his fourth international match, made an immediate impact. He effected a run-out off his first delivery and then claimed his maiden international wicket three balls later, dismissing Kamindu Mendis. Parag's impressive spell continued, as he returned in the final over to dismantle Sri Lanka's lower order. He struck in consecutive balls, bundling out the hosts for 170 in 19.2 overs and finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 5 in 1.2 overs.India's all-round performance, highlighted by Parag's game-changing spell, showcased their potential and set a positive tone for the remaining matches. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the series and marks a promising start to the new era under Yadav and Gambhir.

The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain of India's T20I team has sparked debate, particularly given the omission of Hardik Pandya from the leadership role. Pandya has previously led India in T20Is in Rohit Sharma's absence and was his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign.India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, explained that the decision to name Suryakumar captain was based on fitness considerations. Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who recently concluded his tenure, has endorsed the decision, citing Suryakumar's exceptional skills and leadership qualities.Mhambrey emphasized that Suryakumar's consistent performance and ability to win games for India make him an ideal choice for captaincy. He also highlighted Suryakumar's strong bond with the team, including the younger players."He's been with the team. I've seen him interact with the young guys. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he's good at it. So, has a good bond with everyone in the team," Mhambrey said.Mhambrey also commented on the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach, expressing confidence in his experience but acknowledging the need for time to achieve optimal results.Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, commencing on July 27. The series will provide an opportunity for him to demonstrate his leadership abilities and further cement his position as a key figure in Indian cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav, the enigmatic Indian batter, has etched his name alongside Virat Kohli in the annals of T20 International cricket by equaling the record for the most Player of the Match (POTM) awards. Yadav's 16th POTM accolade, achieved in just 69 matches, matches Kohli's tally, which took the former Indian captain 125 matches to accumulate.Yadav's latest POTM award came in India's emphatic 43-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of their 2024 tour at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Batting first, India posted an imposing 213/7, with Yadav leading the charge with a blistering 58 off 26 balls. His innings, studded with eight fours and two sixes, showcased his aggressive intent and ability to turn the tide of the game in his team's favor.Despite the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, Yadav's innings provided the stability and momentum that India needed. Rishabh Pant also contributed significantly with a brisk 49 off 33 balls, while Hardik Pandya and Riyan Parag added quick runs in the middle overs. Axar Patel's unbeaten 10 off 5 balls helped India cross the 200-run mark.In response, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 170 in 19.2 overs. Pathum Nissanka's 79 off 48 balls and Kusal Mendis's 45 off 27 were the only notable performances in an otherwise disappointing chase. Arshdeep Singh and Riyan Parag were the pick of the bowlers for India, with Singh taking 2 for 24 and Parag claiming 3 for 5 in a stellar bowling display.Yadav's rapid accumulation of 16 POTM awards is a testament to his impactful performances and his pivotal role in India's T20I squad. With the series just beginning, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if he can surpass Kohli's record and continue to be a game-changer for his team.

India's newly appointed skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill put on a dominant display in the first innings of the match against Sri Lanka, amassing a formidable 74 runs without losing a wicket in the Powerplay.Yadav, who came to the crease after the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, welcomed Kamindu Mendis with a boundary over cover. Mendis, an ambidextrous spinner, bowled a variety of deliveries, including off-spin and left-arm spin, but Yadav and Gill remained unfazed.Gill, in particular, was in fine form, hitting a six over mid-wicket off Dilshan Madushanka and four boundaries in quick succession. His shots were a combination of power and precision, showcasing his excellent timing and strokeplay.Madushanka, who had conceded 13 runs in his first over, returned to the attack and dismissed Gill for 33. Gill attempted a big shot but mistimed it, giving Asitha Fernando an easy catch at mid-on.Despite the loss of Gill, Yadav continued to play aggressively, hitting a boundary off Wanindu Hasaranga. Hasaranga, who had earlier dismissed Jaiswal, bowled a googly that beat Yadav all ends up.At the end of the Powerplay, India were in a commanding position, with Yadav and Jaiswal unbeaten on 28 and 25 respectively. The duo had built a solid foundation for India's innings, putting pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Team India, under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, is poised to face Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series on Saturday in Pallekele. Gambhir, renowned for his aggressive approach, aims to maintain India's dominance across all formats of the game.In the T20Is against Sri Lanka, India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who was chosen over all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Ahead of the 1st T20I, a unique moment was captured during practice. Hardik, a fast-bowling all-rounder, bowled a leg spin, imitating the action of legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble. Skipper Suryakumar also showcased his versatility by trying his hand at pace bowling.Gambhir's intense approach and tenacity will present a different coaching style for the players, who must also adapt to the leadership of new T20I skipper Suryakumar. Suryakumar's elevation came as a surprise, as he leapfrogged Hardik Pandya for the job. The selectors prioritized a captain who would be on the field more often and relied on dressing room feedback.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will face a depleted bowling attack with the absence of experienced bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara due to injuries. The hosts have added Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka as replacements.