India’s unbeaten T20I streak against New Zealand ended dramatically in Visakhapatnam, but captain Suryakumar Yadav remains unfazed. The 50-run hammering in the fourth match was a calculated risk to blood World Cup contenders, he revealed.
Kiwis’ openers Devon Conway (44) and Tim Seifert (62) laid the foundation for 215/7. India’s reply folded at 165 in 18.4 overs, exposing vulnerabilities in the chase.
At the toss, SKY opted to bowl first despite India’s strong batting form. ‘The idea was to challenge ourselves in a big chase scenario,’ he stated. ‘With dew playing spoilsport, we tested only six batters backed by five bowlers – perfect for assessing death-over resilience when 2-3 wickets fall early.’
Suryakumar was candid about selections: ‘Our priority was platforming World Cup squad members. We could’ve rotated others, but this was about the big tournament.’
He highlighted positives amid the defeat. ‘Shivam Dube showed promise; had a partner stuck with him, we could’ve turned it around. Dew made batting tougher later, but these 50-run margins in chases often hinge on key stands.’
As India eyes the finale, SKY’s comments underscore a long-term vision: prioritizing 2026 T20 World Cup readiness over short-term series glory. The experiment, though costly, yielded invaluable insights into pressure performances.