Suryakumar Yadav, the top-ranked T20 batsman according to the ICC, continued his exceptional form in the shorter format. After a lacklustre performance in the first two matches of the West Indies tour, Surya showcased his brilliance in the must-win game, keeping the series hopes alive. SKY’s signature innings, coupled with Tilak Varma’s responsible batting, propelled the Indian team to a resounding victory in the third T20I, narrowing the West Indies’ lead in the five-match series to 2-1.
Facing a target of 160 runs, the Indian team encountered an early setback in the first over as Yashaswi Jaiswal was dismissed attempting a big shot off Obed McCoy’s bowling. Shubman Gill managed only 6 runs from 11 balls before falling to Alzarri Joseph’s delivery, leaving India at 34 for 2. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma forged a crucial partnership of 87 runs for the third wicket. Surya, who had a subdued presence in the initial T20Is, swiftly notched up a half-century in just 23 balls, marking his 14th T20 half-century. He achieved 50+ scores on 17 occasions out of 49 innings. Furthermore, Surya became the Indian player with the highest number of sixes in T20Is, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s 100 sixes in 84 innings and Virat Kohli’s 100 sixes in 96 innings.
Suryakumar Yadav’s innings of 83 runs from 44 balls, featuring 10 fours and 4 sixes, hinted at the possibility of another T20 century. However, he was caught by Brendan King near the boundary line while attempting a massive shot off Alzarri Joseph’s bowling. The match, though, had already tilted heavily in favour of Team India. Eventually, India chased down the 160-run target with 3 wickets remaining in 17.5 overs.
Tilak Varma, who impressed in the first two T20Is, continued his solid performance in the third match. Scoring 49 runs from 37 balls, including 4 fours and a six, he narrowly missed his half-century. Kuldeep Yadav, upon completing 50 wickets in T20Is, emerged as the fastest Indian bowler to achieve this milestone.