The way we batted was the icing on the cake – Suryakumar Yadav on India’s dominating win in Kolkata

Team India got off to a great start in the five-match T20I series as an all-round performance witnessed them reigning supreme in Eden Gardens. After a power-packed bowling display from India that restricted England to 132, the batters didn’t hold back and Abhishek Sharma shook off the shackles in no time whatsoever.

Sharma smashed 34-ball 79 paved the path for India’s dominating win, and fuelled by the southpaw’s belligerence, the hosts chased the total down in just 12.5 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, was delighted with the overall performance of the Indian cricket team and talking in the post-match presser, SKY opened up on the spirited body language of the team while decoding the starting XI of the side.

Surya said, “The energy, the way we started after winning the toss, that set the benchmark. We took it from there. All the bowlers having their own plans, executing that, having good energy on the ground and the way we batted was the icing on the cake.”

Sharing his thoughts on the playing XI, he said, “We wanted to stick to our strengths, we did the same thing when we played in South Africa. Hardik took the responsibility of bowling with the new ball. So I had a little bit of cushion to play that extra spinner and all those three are doing a wonderful job.”

He also heaped individual praises on the likes of Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and the Indian management, whose collective contributions played a pivotal role in shaping up the fate of the game.

SKY pointed out Varun’s instinctive brilliance, adding, “He's keeping things very simple, he's clear in his mind and most importantly, his preparations are on point. That's what makes him different from the others.”

Shedding light on Arshdeep Singh’s brilliant transcendence, SKY said, “With experience, he's learning a lot, taking the extra responsibility. He knew he was the only bowler who could bowl with the new ball today and then it was Hardik. He took that responsibility and he's been doing it regularly. There's a lot of freedom being given by Gauti bhai.”

Underlining the path forward, SKY added, “We just want to play a little bit different from what we did in the 2024 T20 World Cup. We have our plans, we are batting the same way and very happy with the way we are going.”

He concluded by stating, “We've been working really hard with the fielding coach in all the sessions. There's only one demand from him that we have good energy, take the half-chances and make a difference and that's what everyone is doing.”