India Opts to Chase Despite High Target
India captain Suryakumar Yadav explained the thinking behind opting to bowl first in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam. After winning the toss, India chose to chase despite a daunting target of 216 runs. Surya said the decision aligned with the team’s long-term plan. Instead of playing safe, the management wanted to test the side under pressure. Although dew was expected to aid batting later, New Zealand posted a challenging total that eventually proved too steep.
Team Combination Meant to Test Comfort Zones
Moreover, India strengthened its bowling attack by including Arshdeep Singh, while resting Ishan Kishan due to a niggle. As a result, the team played with six batters and five frontline bowlers. Surya clarified that the move was deliberate. The management aimed to push the batting unit out of its comfort zone. Importantly, the focus remained on giving World Cup probables meaningful game time rather than chasing short-term results.
‘We Wanted to Challenge Ourselves,’ says Surya
Explaining the strategy further, Suryakumar said the team wanted to simulate difficult chase scenarios. He stressed that India often performs well when batting first. Therefore, the management wanted to see how the batters respond when two or three wickets fall early in a high-pressure chase. According to Surya, these experiments offer valuable lessons ahead of major tournaments. He also hinted that India may continue taking similar risks if given another opportunity.
Missed Partnerships Cost India the Match
Finally, reflecting on the loss, Surya admitted that India failed to build key partnerships despite favourable batting conditions. He pointed out that Shivam Dube batted well but lacked support at the other end. Even one solid stand could have shifted the momentum. Although India lost by 50 runs, Surya described the match as a learning experience. With the World Cup nearing, he said the team remains focused on growth rather than immediate outcomes.
