'Those 5-6 minutes...': Suryakumar Yadav recalls PM Narendra Modi's heartwarming gesture after World Cup final loss

| TOI Sports Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Nov 25, 2023, 16:32 IST

Suryakumar Yadav, the renowned batsman often referred to as Mr. 3... Read More

NEW DELHI: Star batsman Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the encouraging words after India's ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final loss. Suryakumar, who is also known as Mr 360, asserted that the team remains committed to maintaining that same spirit as they now gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup next year.

India's dream of winning the ODI World Cup after 12 years came crashing down after they suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the final in Ahmedabad.

In a heartwarming gesture, PM Modi visited the team's dressing room, met and consoled the players.

"Just after the World Cup final we were sitting in the dressing room and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi came in and gave us motivation," said Surya, who is currently leading the Indian team in the five-match T20 series against Australia.

"He met everyone and told us to move on, as it happens in sport and we will have to take it in our stride.

"It will take some time for us to get over it but his motivational words for those 5-6 minutes and meeting us is a big thing as he is the country's leader. We listened to him carefully, spent time with him and will try to follow his suggestions."

1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav leads India stat attack against Australia

India's two-wicket win is their second successful 200-plus run chase against Australia in T20Is after the six-wicket win at Rajkot in 2013.

India is the only team to complete five successful run-chases of 200 or more in T20Is.

The 209-run chase win in Visakhapatnam is India's highest successful run chase in T20Is.

209/8 is India's highest total against Australia in T20Is, eclipsing the 208/6 at Mohali on September 20, 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav (42-ball-80) slammed the highest individual score on captaincy debut for India in T20Is.

Suryakumar Yadav eclipsed the 62 by KL Rahul vs Afghanistan at Dubai on September 8, 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav was named the Player-of-the-Match for the 13th time in T20Is, his second award against Australia.

Ishan Kishan joined MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant to hit two 50-plus scores by designated wicketkeepers for India in T20Is. KL Rahul heads the list with 3.

With his maiden T20I ton, Josh Inglis equalled the Australian record of Aaron Finch to hit a T20I hundred off 47 balls.

The T20 World Cup will be hosted by the West Indies and the United States from June 4 to June 30 next year.

"We will try to do well in the upcoming tournaments and there is an ICC event coming up next year and we will play with the same spirit as this time and hopefully we will win," said Surya.

The 33-year-old from Mumbai also thanked the fans for their support throughout the tournament.