Suryakumar Yadav reveals hilarious ‘chewing gum’ act to handle pressure after Virat Kohli’s dismissal

India batter Suryakumar Yadav came talked about his reaction after the opening batter Virat Kohli got out in the game against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. He said that after the premier batter got out he started chewing gum more harder. 

Suryakumar Yadav was one of the shining lights for Team India in the game against Afghanistan. After the team lost early wickets, it seemed that they would struggle to post the winning total on the board. But the batter came up with a superlative effort with the bat at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. 

On a pitch, where most of the batters struggled to get going, Suryakumar Yadav seemed to be batting on a different surface. The batter batted with an aggressive mindset and manufactured some brilliant strokes that made many stand and applaud him. 

Suryakumar Yadav walked out to bat after India lost Virat Kohli. He looked unfazed by the situation of the game and played a magnificent innings. In the end, it was he who proved out to be the difference between the sides at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. 

Suryakumar Yadav ended with an innings of 53 runs off 28 balls. He batted with a strike rate of around 190 and also hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. His knock powered India to a total of 181 runs and subsequently won the game by 47 runs. 

Suryakumar Yadav talked about his innings and said that he practised a lot ahead of the game and also claimed that he enjoyed batting from overs 7-15 and took the attack to the bowlers. Speaking to broadcasters, he explained: 

“That’s what I have practised and did a lot of match simulations for that. I enjoy batting from overs 7-15 because that’s the most difficult phase where the other team try and control the game. I like to take charge in that phase, I enjoy it.” 

Suryakumar Yadav was asked about what was going through his mind when Kohli holed out in the 9th over. Replying to this, he stated: 

“I started chewing my gum even harder when he (Kohli) got out. I knew I had played this phase before. I just backed my game and my instincts. Most importantly the intent had to be good that time.”

I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit) and now under him, he understands my game – Suryakumar Yadav 

Suryakumar Yadav was also asked about Rohit Sharma’s comment on him having to elevate his game being a senior batter. Replying to this, he stated that it motivates him more. He also talked about his on-field camaraderie with India’s captain and stated: 

“It’s obviously a motivation. I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit) and now under him, he understands my game. When there are ups and downs in my cricket, he doesn’t tell me anything because he knows my game. He just sits back and enjoys it,” he concluded.