In the opening Twenty20 International of their current white-ball series, Team India defeated Sri Lanka with remarkable ease. India, led by Suryakumar, won the first game of the series by defeating the hosts by 43 runs. The visitors took the pitch first to bat in the opening of the game. In an outstanding performance, India amassed 213 runs in the scoreboard.
With Pathum Nissanka putting in terrific work and attacking the Indian bowlers from the outset, Sri Lanka, intending to chase down the mark, did get off to a wonderful start. But the Indian bowlers were brilliant, and they helped the team win.
Along with Mohammed Siraj and Ravi Bishnoi, who each claimed one wicket, Riyan Parag claimed three wickets, with double figures coming from Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel. Following the match, top all-arounder Axar Patel addressed the media, praising Suryakumar Yadav for being a bowler’s captain and labelling him as such.
“I am aware that he captains the bowlers.” Giving the bowlers freedom to choose their own fields, he then supports them even in the event that they are struck. He provides inputs to you. In the press conference following the game, Axar Patel stated, “As a player, I’ve got a good relationship with him and I’ve enjoyed playing under his captaincy too.”
“I didn’t notice any difference in his style of play even today. After I was hit for four runs in the first three overs, he advised me of my other options and how to get wickets,” the man continued.
If you are hit for a four or a six, he said, it’s not a problem: In Axar Patel
Axar Patel further disclosed that Suryakumar Yadav had informed him it was acceptable if he was being hammered for boundaries after he had a poor start with the ball.
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If you get hit for a four or a six, he said, it’s not an issue. For a bowler, that offers assurance. You can try various things, Patel added, if your captain supports you.