After Loss to South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav Promises: 'We'll Come Back Stronger'
GQEBERHA: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav remained defiant and optimistic following India's defeat to South Africa in the second T20 International at St George's Park. Despite posting a competitive total, the visitors fell short in a rain-curtailed encounter, with the hosts securing a victory via the DLS method.
Match Analysis and Captain’s Reaction
India posted 180/7 in 19.3 overs before rain interrupted play. South Africa was set a revised target of 152 in 15 overs, which they chased down with 5 wickets in hand. Addressing the post-match press conference, Yadav emphasized the team's aggressive approach and dismissed concerns about the loss affecting their long-term plans.
"I feel we were always in the game. We batted well to get to that score on a challenging wicket. The brand of cricket we played was exactly what we wanted. We learn from it, we’ll sit back, and then come back stronger," Yadav stated.
Key Match Statistics
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| India | 180/7 (19.3 ov) | Rinku Singh (68*), Suryakumar Yadav (56) |
| South Africa | 154/5 (13.5 ov) | Reeza Hendricks (49), Aiden Markram (30) |
| Result | South Africa won by 5 wickets (DLS Method) | |
Turning Point: The Bowling Effort
While the Indian batting lineup showed resilience, led by Rinku Singh's unbeaten 68 and Yadav's 56, the wet ball made defending the revised total difficult. The South African openers capitalized on the conditions, utilizing the powerplay to establish a commanding position.
"It was tough to defend with the wet ball, but credit to South Africa for how they batted. They took the game away in the first 5-6 overs," Yadav admitted. Despite the result, the captain praised the bowling unit for taking the game deep into the final overs.
Looking Ahead
With the series on the line, the Indian team aims to regroup for the final match. Yadav reiterated that the squad's morale remains high and the focus is solely on executing their plans for the next game.

















