DUBAI: After securing a spot in the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 with a win over Hong Kong on Wednesday, Suryakumar Yadav said that he is ready to bat anywhere and added that it was a heartwarming gesture by Virat Kohli as the former India captain bowed to Yadav for the innings he played.
Yadav’s blistering 68 not out off just 26 balls, Kohli’s unbeaten 59 off 44 and Ravindra Jadeja’s quicksilver fielding helped India secure qualification to the Super Four stage of the tournament. India scored 192 for two in their 20 overs and went on to beat Hong Kong by 40 runs here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan is the other team so far to have made it to the Super Four stage.

Yadav’s blistering knock left Kohli in awe, as the former captain bowed to Yadav after India’s innings came to an end.
“It was a heartwarming gesture by Virat Kohli because I’ve never seen it. I saw him not moving ahead (walking out of the field at the end of the innings) and said to him ‘let’s move ahead together’.
“He has so much experience, I enjoyed batting with him. It is important to have someone experienced in a situation like this,” said Yadav during the post-match press conference.
Yadav’s batting blitz stood out as he brought up his half-century in just 22 balls and ended India’s innings with four sixes in the last over.

Talking about his majestic knock, Yadav said, “The situation was such that I had to go to the crease and play fast because the wicket was a little slow in the starting. I talked to Virat Kohli, and he said ‘just express yourself and do as you bat’. My plan was also very clear on how to bat, so it was fun.”
On the performance of young Indian pace attack of Arshdeep Singh (1 for 44) and Avesh Khan (1 for 53), who leaked a lot of runs against the Hong Kong batters, Yadav said, “From my idea, they are not bowling badly…Both are bowling well. I feel everyone is in a good space and doing well. I think every bowler has that one off day.
“We keep talking about the situations of the match, that if such a situation comes, then how to play in it. We were discussing the plans that we need to score 170-180 plus. I feel it is a challenge to bat in the first innings but we need to be ready for it.”

“I plan my shots and try to express myself through it. We tried to beat Hong Kong by a bigger margin but the opposition also did a few things right,” said ‘Man of the Match’ Yadav.
He added that he is eager to have more game-time irrespective of the position he is asked to bat at.
“I am ready to bat at any position for the team. I just want to play no matter what position I have to bat at, and that is what I have told my coach,” he added.