T20 World Cup 2024: “He got a life for sure but staying there was necessary” – Aakash Chopra lauds Suryakumar Yadav’s knock

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Suryakumar Yadav’s knock after their seven-wicket win against the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday. SKY joined forces with Rishabh Pant after Indian openers – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – were dismissed cheaply.

Pant was also cleaned up by Ali Khan and India found themselves under pressure at 39-3. SKY also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped by his former Mumbai teammate Saurabh Netravalkar when he was on 22.

The right-hander made the most of his second life as he went on to score an unbeaten knock of 50 runs. Shivam Dube also scored 31 runs and added 72 runs with SKY to help India get over the line in the run-chase of 111.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Suryakumar Yadav scored runs. He takes a class of a few teams and this time that team’s name was USA. Although it was a difficult pitch and runs weren’t going to be scored that easily, we got to see a scoop and a sweep off Corey Anderson’s bowling.”

“The important thing was that he stayed till the end. He got a life for sure, (Saurabh) Netravalkar dropped a catch, but staying there was necessary, and he did that job,” the former India opener added.

Meanwhile, Shivam Dube was dismissed after scoring only three runs against Pakistan. However, the left-hander scored crucial runs against the hosts and thus the renowned commentator feels that another box was ticked for India. Furthermore, Arshdeep Singh bowled a fine spell of 4-9 in his quota of four overs.

“Shivam Dube was there with him. So another box ticked. Suryakumar Yadav – 50, box ticked. Arshdeep Singh – four wickets, box ticked because he was proving expensive earlier. Now Shivam Dube, that was the last box that wasn’t getting ticked, and that too has happened. He scored runs which included a good six. He stayed till the end and I feel he too will play better once he leaves from here,” he elaborated.

Rishabh Pant scored 20 runs off 18 balls but he was dismissed on a delivery that kept low.

“Rishabh Pant was once again looking very good. The form he has had and the way he has played, he was batting incredibly well, but then one ball kept low. It’s like that here, it climbs sometimes and stays low on other occasions. The ball hit his stumps,” Chopra stated.

India will next take on Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.