The third and final T20I between India and New Zealand was tied. Rain stopped play with the visitors on 75/4 in the final nine overs of the chase after the hosts New Zealand scored 160 in 19.4 overs. The match ended in a tie because the scores were equal according to the Duckworth-Lewis method, and India won the series 1-0. “Really happy with the way things went, would have loved to have a full game but I am glad we got the series win,” said Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match presentation ceremony.
India was struggling at 21/3 at one point, but from that point on, Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Hardik Pandya put together a 39-run combination to push the visitors above the 50-run threshold in 4.4 overs. “The weather is not in our hands. The pressure is always here, but there is no fun when there is not,” said Suryakumar Yadav. With 124 runs in two innings, including a century in the second Twenty20 International in Mount Maunganui that gave India a 1-0 lead, Suryakumar Yadav was named “Player of the Series.”
“I am just enjoying my batting and not carrying any baggage,” told Suryakumar Yadav. The 32-year-old will also hold the key for India in the three-match ODI series starting on Friday. “Can take a bit of time, but the approach and intent will be the same. These things are not in our control. We can just express ourselves,” said Suryakumar Yadav. India will pursue an ODI series victory with Shikhar Dhawan at the helm after winning the T20 series.