India vs West Indies: Venkatesh Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav were on a six-hitting spree in the 3rd T20I as India posted 86 in the last 5 overs, their best-ever performance in the death overs in the shortest format of the game.
Suryakumar Yadav and Venkatesh Iyer stiched a 91-run stand in no time in the 3rd T20I against the West Indies (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Suryakumar Yadav hit a 31-ball 65 in the 3rd T20I on Sunday
- He hit 7 sixes and a boundary in an entertaining show in Kolkata
- India posted 184 after scoring 86 in the last 5 overs in 3rd T20I
All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was in awe of his batting partner Suryakumar Yadav after the duo set the Eden Gardens on fire with a stunning big-hitting display in the 3rd T20I against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. Suryakymar and Iyer stitched a 91-run partnership for the 5th wicket in just 37 balls as India posted 184/5 in 20 overs despite a top-order failure in Kolkata.
Suryakumar continued his good form, raising his big-hitting display to another level as he smashed 7 sixes and a boundary for his 31-ball 65. The Mumbai Indians batter was in full flow as he hit the West Indies bowlers across all part of the ground in Kolkata. Suryakumar brought up his trademark pick-up shot as he got down to his knees and hit one from the off-side into the stands at fine-leg in one of the overs bowled by left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes.
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There were plenty of eye-catching shots from the blade as Suryakumar gave the Kolkata crowd their money’s worth in a spectacular display of big-hitting.
India were tottering at 93/4 in 13.5 overs but Suryakumar and Venkatesh Iyer counter-attacked and stitched a 91-run stand that pushed India’s total beyond 180. Iyer remained unbeaten on 35 from just 19 balls, playing his part in the partnership but he said he enjoyed watching his batting partner from the best seat in the ground.
“More than I enjoyed my batting, I enjoyed his batting. Really happy to have contributed in the partnership. I think every shot of his has a touch of grace. There is thought behind every shot he plays even though it looks pleasing to the eye. That’s what makes him stand out from the others,” Venkatesh said.
“That pick up shot over the leg-side of his is great. My shot was on the cards and it was Surya’s idea for me to shuffle and scoop it,” he added.
Suryakumar and Iyer’s fireworks meant India registered their best-ever death overs batting performance, smashing 86 runs in the last 5 overs, going past the 80 they scored when Yuvraj Singh went berserk in the T20 World Cup in 2007 against England in Durban.
Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma gave up his opening spot to accommodate Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan at the top. However, Ruturaj got out for 4, Ishan struggled once again for his 34-ball 31.
Rohit, who batted at No. 4, failed to get going, managing just 7 runs from 15 balls before Iyer and Suryakumar took over and decimated the West Indies attack.
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