Follow UsHaving faltered away from home in South Africa, the return of home T20Is could not have come at a better time for 27-year-old all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. In the pre-match discussions, there was a doubt over the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder’s place in the Indian side.
However, at the toss, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma brushed off any sort of doubt, stating that it is always nice to have an extra bowling option. While he was not required with the ball, his efforts with the bat, was a huge part of India’s win against West Indies in Kolkata.
Suryakumar Yadav, who scored an 18-ball 34, credited Iyer’s ‘positivity’ for having an influence on his game.
“I think when Venkatesh Iyer came into bat, the way he came to bat, his positivity was completely different, that passed onto me,” Suryakumar said in the post-match press conference.
“He started his innings with a boundary, I felt it was the perfect platform for both of us to finish the game.”
On his own game, the 31-year-old opened up on the importance of taking the team home. Suryakumar stressed that he has been working on ‘finishing games’ for the team since a long time.
"I think it was very important for me to stay till the end and win the game for my side. I have been in these situations many times, I used to get out earlier, and then I used to feel bad. I think the situation was perfect and I just needed to raise my hand and bail the side out. It happened, very happy to be on the winning side," said the batter.
Earlier in the day, India handed debut to 21-year-old leg-spinner, Ravi Bishnoi, who was paired alongside experienced Yuzvendra Chahal. Bishnoi, on debut, was India’s most impressive bowler, with figures of 2/17.
"It was a good opportunity for Bishnoi to be playing against one of the best teams in T20I cricket, he responded really well, the way he bowled and backed himself, there was dew and it was not easy for spinners to grip the ball,” Suryakumar added.
“He executed everything really well, when he was under pressure, he came back with his best ball. I think it was a perfect debut for Ravi Bishnoi and I am very happy for him,” he concluded.
India wrapped up a convincing six-wicket win in Kolkata to take a 1-0 lead over West Indies in the three-match T20I series, with an aim to wrap the series on Friday.