Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership gets a thumbs-up from teammates

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hardik Pandya may be India’s designated T20 captain but injury to the star allrounder has meant that Suryakumar Yadav has been leading India in the five-match T20I series against Australia.

Happily for India, Surya’s leadership skills in the first two matches have won him admirers. Surya has shown that he is brave enough to bowl his spinners in the Powerplay and there has been a method to his bowling changes and field placements.

1/10:2nd T20I: India's power-packed stat attack against Australia

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2/10:India's highest total vs Australia

<p>235/4 is India's highest total vs Australia in T20Is. In all, India have registered five T20I totals of 200-plus against Australia. </p>Getty Images

3/10:​235/4

<p>235/4 is India's fourth highest first innings score in T20Is. </p>AP

4/10:44-run win

<p>India's 44-run winning margin is their second highest in terms of runs against Australia in T20Is. </p>PTI

5/10:India vs Australia

<p>In eight T20Is since 2020, India have beaten Australia 8 times and lost 2. </p>AP

6/10:Top 3 batters

<p>This is the fifth instance in international cricket that top three batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>PTI

7/10:50-plus scores

<p>This is the fourth instance that three Indian batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>AFP

8/10:Rinku Singh

<p>Batting in overs 19-20 in T20Is, Rinku Singh has scored 93 runs off 28 balls, with one dismissal at a strike rate of 332.14 with 9 fours and 8 sixes. </p>Getty Images

9/10:​Ishan Kishan

<p>Ishan Kishan equalled KL Rahul's record of hitting three 50-plus scores as designated wicketkeeper for India in T20Is. </p>Getty Images

10/10:​Yashasvi Jaiswal

<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal is the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to hit 50-plus runs within the Powerplay in T20Is. </p>Getty Images

2nd T20I: India's power-packed stat attack against Australia

After southpaw Tilak Varma praised Surya’s captaincy the other day, it was the turn of seamer Prasidh Krishna to follow suit. “I think it shows in the way he (Surya) bats. Very similar in the way in captaincy as well. He trusts his players and backs us to do what we want to do. And he is there right behind us, supporting us if anything goes wrong,” said Prasidh.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit a blazing half-century here in the second T20I, revealed that the captain and the coach have asked him to play ‘fearless’ cricket. “I have been told by Surya bhai and VVS sir to go and play freely. I have been asked to express myself,” said Jaiswal.

1/10:2nd T20I: Jaiswal, Kishan help India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up

ANI

2/10:Jaiswal's explosive innings

Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a 25-ball 53 with fearless shot-making.PTI

3/10:Kishan's impactful contribution

Ishan Kishan's 52 off 32 deliveries pushed India's total to a mammoth 235/4 after being invited to bat first.AFP

4/10:Bishnoi, Krishna shine with the ball

Spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took three wickets each as the hosts kept Australia down to 191/9.PTI

5/10:Australia's struggle in the chase

<p>In reply, Australia fell to 58/4 including Steve Smith (19), previous-match centurion Josh Inglis (two) and Glenn Maxwell (12) back in the dug-out.</p>AP

6/10:David and Stoinis fight back

Tim David, who smashed 37, and Stoinis, who hit 45 off 25 balls, attempted to hit back in their partnership of 81 as the two hit six fours and six sixes between them.AFP

7/10:Bishnoi breaks the partnership

Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand with his leg-spin to dismiss Tim David who mistimed a hit to long-on.AFP

8/10:Wade's late heroics

Skipper Matthew Wade struck an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls to reduce the margin of loss for Australia.AFP

9/10:India's commanding lead in the series

With the convincing 44-run win, India extended their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series against Australia.AFP

10/10:Australia's struggles continue

"We're making the right decisions but aren't executing in the right moments," Australia coach Andre Borovec said.AFP

2nd T20I: Jaiswal, Kishan help India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up

Suryakumar himself bats with a lot of freedom and seems to have given that liberty to teammates as well. “That’s the word around, freedom. Go and execute your plans out there and everyone trusts each other in the team,” added Prasidh.

With Hardik’s fitness being always a matter of concern, Surya, with his leadership skills in the shortest format, has shown the selectors that he is ready to take over if the need arises.