With Mohammed Siraj still having an over left and Shivam Dube yet to bowl, Suryakumar handed the ball to Rinku Singh, a player who had never bowled in his 23-match T20I career. This bold move on a spin-friendly track turned out to be a masterstroke.
Following the win, Suryakumar explained his decision in an interview with Sony Sports. “The decision for the 20th over was easy; the difficult part was for the 19th over. Siraj and a few others had their overs left. But I felt Rinku was better suited for that wicket because I have seen him bowling and I made him practice a lot at the nets. I felt it was right and that is why I took that call,” he said.
Rinku Singh’s entry into the bowling attack initially raised eyebrows, but he soon justified his captain’s faith. His first delivery was a dot ball, with Kusal Perera missing an attempted reverse-slog. On the second ball, Rinku bowled a short-of-a-length delivery that Perera mistimed, resulting in a top edge. Rinku moved swiftly towards the off-side to complete a caught-and-bowled dismissal, claiming his maiden T20I wicket.
Rinku’s over didn’t stop there. On the final delivery, he dismissed Ramesh Mendis, ending the over with remarkable figures of 2 for 3. His two wickets and three runs conceded drastically altered the equation, leaving Sri Lanka needing six runs off the final over.
“I knew the 19th over has always been difficult for Indian cricket (laughs). That is why I gave the responsibility to Rinku. For a right-hander bowling to a left-hander, it is always difficult for the batter. It was great that he made the best use of his skill and made my work easy because now I have one more bowling option going forward,” he explained.
Suryakumar took it upon himself to bowl the last over. Displaying nerves of steel, Suryakumar managed to restrict the hosts and push the game into a Super Over.
India emerged victorious in the Super Over, securing a thrilling win that will be remembered for Rinku Singh’s unexpected heroics and Suryakumar Yadav’s bold captaincy. This match will be etched in memory not just for the victory, but for the strategic brilliance that made it possible.
