Suryakumar Yadav defends batting intent despite late collapse in Durban

SA vs IND: India skipper Suryakumar Yadav backed the team's aggressive intent with the bat despite a batting collapse late in the 1st innings. Surya said that if the team can score 200 in 17 overs, then why wait till the end?

In Short

• India hammered South Africa by 61 runs in Durban
• Sanju Samson scored a terrific hundred
• India struggled in the death overs with the bat

Indian batting-order might have collapsed in the death overs of the 1st T20I against South Africa, but that has not deterred Suryakumar Yadav from the team's intent filled approach. Speaking at the post-match presentation after India's 61-run win in Durban, the captain said that of India can score 200 in 17 overs, then what was the need for batting till the 20th?

On Friday, November 8, India hammered South Africa by 61 runs, largely due to an impressive century by Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan Royals captain started off slowly but lit up once South Africa fed spin to him in the powerplay. Samson overshadowed the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma who played useful cameos in the Indian innings which helped the visitors put 202/8 on the board.

SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Highlights and Reactions

India's batting was in a very good place when Samson was taking the attack to the bowlers, but lost momentum in the final third of the innings after Samson was dismissed in the 16th over. After Samson's dismissal, India lost Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi in quick succession marking a timid end to their innings.

At one point in time time, India were 162/2 in just 14 overs, threatening the T20I record book once again, just like they did against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. However, the dismissals of Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson in a space of 7 balls hurt the Indian innings.

SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Full Scorecard

Suryakumar Yadav was, however, not fussed about it at all.

"The brand of cricket we play, even though we lose a few wickets, we want to play without fear, it's a T20 game and if you can score 200 in 17 overs, why not?" Suryakumar Yadav said after the match in Durban.

"As I said already at the toss, boys have made my job easier, I don't need to carry any baggage, the boys are enjoying themselves on and off the field, which makes my job easier," the captain praised his team after the wins.

India spinners were the star in the second innings of the game. Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy picked 6 wickets between them to peg back the South Africa batting line-up.