In-form Suryakumar says he is ready to bat in any position

DUBAI: Suryakumar Yadav said that he is flexible enough to bat anywhere in the India T20 team, having turned out for the ‘Men in Blue’ in various positions.

Suryakumar scored a scintillating 26-ball 68 not out to pave the way for India’s 40-run win over Hong Kong in Group A here on Wednesday, a result that put the Rohit Sharma-led side in the ‘Super Four’ stage of the Asia Cup. On a two-paced track, Suryakumar, who came in to bat at No.4, played a wide range of shots in a knock that included six sixes and as many fours.

“I am flexible to bat at any number, wherever you tell me. I have told the coach and captain to send me at any number but just asked them play me,” Suryakumar said at the post match press conference. With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, India is continuing to experiment in a bid to find out the best batting combination.

“Things will go on, there are a lot of things we are trying and experimenting. There are things that we want to do and it is better to try those things in matches rather than in practice sessions.” Against Hong Kong at the Dubai International Stadium, Suryakumar changed the complexion of the match with his 360 degree hitting.

Talking about his knock, he said: “The situation was such that I had to go and bat out in the middle the way I did. At the start, the wicket was a bit slow. In a chat with Virat [Kohli], he told me ‘just express yourself, bat the way you usually bat’. My plans were absolutely clear on the way to bat... and I really enjoyed it.”

‘Kohli made a heart-warming gesture’

Suryakumar was left humbled by the “heart-warming” gesture from Kohli, who doffed his hat to his compatriot following his sensational knock. “It was a heart-warming gesture from Kohli. I have never experienced it. I was wondering why he was not walking ahead and then when I realised, I asked him to walk together. He is much more experienced than me,” Suryakumar said.