Suryakumar Yadav Praises Rashid and Varun Chakravarthy After India’s 26-Run Loss

Adil Rashid’s precision and Varun Chakravarthy’s variations shine in a thrilling third T20I, as England keeps the series alive.

Rajkot (Gujarat), January 29: After India’s 26-run defeat to England in the third T20I, captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded the performances of spinners Adil Rashid and Varun Chakravarthy, acknowledging their game-changing roles for their respective teams.

Rashid’s Spin Mastery

Chasing 172, India faced an uphill battle after losing early wickets. England’s Adil Rashid bowled with precision, applying relentless pressure on the Indian middle order. His dismissal of in-form Tilak Varma with a sensational delivery proved pivotal.

“I felt there’d be a little bit of dew. With Hardik-Axar batting and us needing 55 off 24, I still felt we had the game in our hands. The credit goes to Adil Rashid. We wanted to rotate the strike, but he didn’t let us; that’s why he’s a world-class bowler,” said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation.

Despite taking only one wicket, Rashid’s spell (1/15 at an economy rate of 3.80) ensured India could not accelerate, showcasing his importance to England’s bowling attack.

Varun Chakravarthy’s Spin Web

On the Indian side, Varun Chakravarthy impressed with his second T20I five-wicket haul, dismantling England’s middle order, including the prized scalp of skipper Jos Buttler.

“Varun’s one guy who has been working very hard and has good discipline—that’s why he’s got the results,” Suryakumar noted, praising the spinner’s dedication and consistency.

Shami’s Return and Missed Opportunities

Mohammed Shami made his first appearance since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Though wicketless, he displayed glimpses of his rhythm, consistently bowling around 135 kph with a flawless seam position.

“Good to see Shami bowl like that,” Suryakumar remarked, highlighting the pacer’s positive comeback.

India’s bowlers had England struggling at 127/8, but a late blitz from Liam Livingstone (43 off 24) and valuable contributions from Rashid (10*) and Mark Wood (10*) lifted England to 171/9.

“We always learn from a T20 game. Conceding 170 from 127 for 8 was too much. In batting also, we have a few things to learn,” Suryakumar admitted.

Series On the Line

With the series poised at 2-1, India will have another chance to secure an unassailable lead in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday. Meanwhile, England will aim to level the series and stay in contention.