'When Kohli got out I started chewing my gum harder': SKY reveals how he played under-pressure knock

Suryakumar Yadav played a crucial knock for India during the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash against Afghanistan. The knock came when India were under pressure after losing openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early on in the innings. SKY scored a brilliant 53 off 28 balls to help India post a challenging total on the board. 

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SKY reveals how he played his under-pressure knock

Suryakumar Yadav forged a crucial partnership with Hardik Pandya in the middle overs and played some exceptional shots to help India's cause. SKY revealed how he felt when Virat Kohli got out to Rashid Khan in the 9th over. Suryakumar said that he started chewing his gum harder when Kohli was dismissed. 

Suryakumar Yadav's efforts propelled India to a total of 181/8 in 20 overs. In the process, SKY also reached a milestone of scoring 200 fours in T20Is. 

"That's what I have practised, I enjoy batting from overs 7-15 because that's the most difficult phase where the opposition bowlers look to control things. I like to take charge in that phase, I enjoy it," Suryakumar Yadav told Star Sports during the innings break.

"I started chewing my gum harder when he (Kohli) got out. I just backed my game and my instincts. I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit Sharma) and now under him, he understands my game. He knows my game, so he sits back and enjoys it," he added.  

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IND vs AFG, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash

India came into the match with a flawless record, having won three games while one match was washed out. Afghanistan, on the other hand, suffered a 104-run loss to West Indies in their final group match. 

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.

India made one change, including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of pacer Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI.

Afghanistan also made a change with Hazratullah Zazai replacing Karim Janat.

(With PTI inputs)