1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav wants Team India to play ‘fearless cricket’ against South Africa | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Leading the side in place of the injured Hardik Pandya, captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday expressed his satisfaction with India’s performance against Australia and urged his squad to play “fearless cricket” in the forthcoming three-match T20 series against the Proteas.
“The players put their hands up against Australia and came up with fearless cricket, and we need to play the same against South Africa.I just told them (players) to do exactly what they do in franchise cricket,”Suryakumar said in Durban on the eve of the first T20 against South Africa.

Although the heartbreaking World Cup final loss is difficult to forget, Suryakumar described the team’s recent victory against Australia in the T20 series as a major boost before the South Africa visit.
Before going to South Africa, India had won the five-match series 4-1 at home against Australia.
“The World Cup defeat was a disappointment, and it is tough to move on from it. But the series win against Australia was a big boost even though it came in a different format,” he said.

Suryakumar claimed that they had focused on it internally but did not reveal India’s line-up for the first game of the tour.
“We have the combination in mind. We know who are going to open tomorrow, and perhaps, will take a final call after the practice session today. Yes, we have enough sixth bowler options in this side to bank upon,” he said.
The 33-year-old said he enjoyed captaining the team.
“I am enjoying it. It is all about keeping the players together and this is a fine group of players.”

(With PTI inputs)