Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Why Rinku Singh Bowled The Crucial Over In IND Vs SL 3rd T20I

Suryakumar Yadav reveals [X.com]

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav made a bold decision that turned the tide against Sri Lanka on July 30 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. 

When the match reached a critical juncture, with Sri Lanka needing just nine runs from the last two overs and six wickets in hand, Yadav handed the ball to right-arm off-break bowler Rinku Singh, who had struggled with the bat earlier.

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I felt Rinku was better suited: Suryakumar Yadav 

During the post-match presentation, Yadav shared his reasoning behind the move: 

“The decision for the 20th over was easy, the difficult part was for the 19th over. Siraj and few others had their overs left. But I felt Rinku was better suited for that wicket because I have seen him bowling and I made him practice a lot at the nets. I felt it was right and that is why I took that call,” he said.

“I knew the 19th over has always been difficult for Indian cricket (laughs). That is why I gave the responsibility to Rinku. For a right-hander bowling to a left-hander, it is always difficult for the batter. It was great that he made the best use of his skill and made my work easy because now I have one more bowling option going forward,” he added.

Rinku's introduction into the attack initially raised eyebrows, but he soon vindicated his captain's trust. His first ball was a dot, as Kusal Perera missed an attempted reverse-slog. The next delivery saw Perera mistiming a shot, resulting in a top edge that Rinku caught himself, marking his maiden T20I wicket. 

Rinku didn’t stop there; his final delivery of the over claimed Ramesh Mendis, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 3. This remarkable over left Sri Lanka needing six runs from the last over.

The match culminated in a Super Over, where India emerged victorious, securing a 3-0 series whitewash—a result that seemed unlikely just moments before. 

The Men in Blue now heads into the three-match ODI series, starting on August 2, with renewed confidence.

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