Suryakumar Yadav Proud of India's Win in First T20I Against Australia

As a captain, Suryakumar Yadav is not equipped with a highly skilled dressing room. But even though he and his youthful colleagues handled a difficult assignment well, Surya was "proud" of how he and India handled the first Twenty20 International against Australia on Thursday.

India overcame Australia's formidable 208/3, but not before Surya struck a brilliant 42-ball 80 and forged a partnership of 112 runs with Ishan Kishan. However, the chase was not without drama, as the home team lost numerous wickets in the last over. In what turned out to be the penultimate ball of the match, India triumphed by two wickets in the end.

India fell by six wickets on the big stage of the World Cup final on Sunday against Australia, with Surya scoring just eighteen runs.

However, Surya was deadly in his preferred format and as the team's captain in the absence of an injured Hardik Pandya. He overshadowed Josh Inglis's fifty-ball 110 and helped the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series by smashing nine boundaries and scooping four sixes.

When asked to sum up his style of play in one word, "Mr 360 degrees" replied, "fearless."

Ishan was commended by the captain as well for helping the team surpass the enormous goal. The bold chase was made possible by Ishan's 39-ball 58 after opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was removed for a duck.

Ishan Kishan on Thursday, marking his 50th birthday in Visakhapatnam.

PTI image

"I believe that Ishan greatly assisted me. The key to the chase was Surya's strike rate of 190.47, which he shared with the BCCI. "For me to be fearless, him staying there and his knock was very important."

At last, Rinku Singh scored an undefeated 22 off 14 deliveries to lead India to victory.

Although there was pressure, I believe Rinku remained composed. When he batted, he appeared extremely composed, and Surya thought it was fantastic to witness.

On whether there were nervous moments in the dressing room after seeing Australia’s 200-plus total on the board, the skipper said: “A little bit. Although there isn't much experience in the dressing room, the boys were all quite thrilled.

"They only exclaimed, 'If we win this game, it will be truly joyful,' when they saw the score on the scoreboard.

I'm thrilled to have played a part in my first game as captain and am extremely delighted to be leading my nation. eager to see how the upcoming game plays out," he continued.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.