Suryakumar Yadav. (Source – BCCI)
Although three Sri Lankan batters ranked higher than India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, in the list of leading run-scorers for the T20I series, it was Surya who was conferred with the Player of the Series award that India won dominantly. This accolade just goes onto underscore the brilliance with which he led the team on the field, making audacious decisions that ultimately benefited the team.
With this accolade, he ascended to an exclusive cohort of cricketers with the highest number of Player of the Series awards in T20Is, underscoring Surya’s extraordinary ascent in the shortest format of the game – a phenomenon that has captivated all observers in recent times.
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With his fifth such accolade, Surya now ranks alongside Bangladeshi all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, and Australia’s stalwart, David Warner. This accomplishment positions him directly behind Virat Kohli, who spearheads the pack with a total of six distinctions to his name.
To date, Yadav has featured in 71 T20Is, accumulating 2,432 runs at an average of 42.66. His recent performances have solidified his position and earned him esteemed recognition as one of the most formidable T20I players on the global stage.
Gambhir commenced his tenure as head coach alongside Surya’s leadership, marking a new era of Indian cricket in T20Is. Not only did Surya amass 92 runs, but also took two wickets in a remarkably bold and unexpected move, stepping up to bowl the final over of the 3rd T20I match. With Sri Lanka requiring six runs to win and still having four wickets in hand, Surya’s fearless decision showcased his readiness to embrace critical responsibilities.