In a thrilling encounter at Colombo, India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs in the group stage clash on Sunday. Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar couldn’t hold back his admiration for captain Suryakumar Yadav’s tactical brilliance that steered the team to victory.
Gavaskar highlighted how Suryakumar adapted seamlessly to the match situations. ‘You have to play according to the game’s demands, and that’s exactly what captain Suryakumar Yadav did,’ he said. ‘He led from the front. Against USA, when India were reeling at 77 for 6, Surya rescued the innings. Facing Pakistan at 88 for 2, he batted till the 19th over, scoring a crucial 32 runs. His strike rate was conservative, but preserving wickets from one end was pivotal.’
The veteran emphasized the importance of game awareness in T20 cricket. Other teams know you avoid dot balls, but reckless six-hitting risks collapse. Understanding pitch conditions, match context, and even wind direction is key. ‘Suryakumar brings this awareness to the Indian team,’ Gavaskar noted.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. India posted 175 for 7, powered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77 off 40 balls, Suryakumar’s 32, Shivam Dube’s 27, and Tilak Varma’s 25. Pakistan folded for 114 in 18 overs. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed 2 wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma took one apiece. Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match.
This win underscores Suryakumar’s growing stature as a leader who blends aggression with smart cricket, setting a strong tone for India’s campaign.