Axar hails Suryakumar as a 'bowler's captain' 

India overcame Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in what was the first game for Suryakumar Yadav as full-time T20I captain. The Men in Blue posted a strong total of 213/7 on the back of attacking knocks from Surya (58 from 26), and Rishabh Pant (49 from 33).

At one stage, Sri Lanka were well on course at 140/1 in 14 overs, but India fought back and bowled out the Islanders in the 20th over.

All-rounder Axar Patel, who triggered the collapse with his double-wicket strike in the 15th over, praised skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his calm approach and the freedom he gave to the bowlers.

“I know that he’s a bowler’s captain. He gives the bowlers a free hand, to decide on their fields, and then backs them up even if they are hit. He gives you inputs. As a player, I’ve a good bond with him, and I’ve enjoyed playing under his captaincy too,” Axar said in the post-match press conference.

Axar had an ordinary start with the ball, giving away 29 runs in the first three overs but was backed by Surya to bowl at a crucial stage. The left-arm spinner justified his captain's trust, picking up the big wickets of set batters Pathum Nissanka (79 from 48) and Kusal Perera (20 from 14) in his final over.

“Even today, I didn’t feel any change in his approach, when I was hit for runs in the first three overs, he told me what the other options were, and what can be done to get wickets.

“He said there’s no problem if you’re hit for a four or a six. As a bowler, that gives you confidence. If your captain backs you, then you can try out other things.”

Despite being under the pump when the Sri Lankan top 3 were firing, the Indian side didn’t give up hope and believed they were in contention.

“Wicket got better and better in the night. We knew we had a good score, we didn’t think they were ahead even when they were going at 10 an over. We said that the game is still on, we’ve put the score, so they’ve to chase it down.

“We knew from our innings, that when the ball gets old, it’s not easy to hit. We knew we were one wicket away.”

In India’s batting innings, Suryakumar walked ahead of Pant at No.3, a change from the T20 World Cup approach where the wicket-keeper batter played one-down. However, according to Axar, it was a tactical call.

“We have four left-handers and four-right handers. We want to keep it that way because it makes it tough for the bowlers. I think the idea was to use that combination to perfection since we had the option.”

India and Sri Lanka will play the second T20I on Sunday, 28th July in Pallekele.