During the pre-match press conference ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium, there was a light-hearted moment when Newswire reminded Suryakumar Yadav that India had lost an ODI series in Colombo after 27 years the last time they played there. The Indian batter responded with humour before addressing the challenge of playing in Sri Lankan conditions. (Newswire)
Newswire:
When you previously played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka won a series against India after 27 years.
Suryakumar Yadav:
Sharp memory, huh?
Newswire:
Yes, we have to remember, don’t we? So how do you feel about that, especially since India struggled against Sri Lankan spinners here?
Suryakumar Yadav:
But which format was that?
Newswire:
That was the ODI series.
Suryakumar Yadav:
But we are playing a T20 format. You’re not saying we won the T20 series in Kandy?
Newswire:
But India also lost the last T20 series played at R. Premadasa during COVID.
Suryakumar Yadav:
That was because a few players were down with COVID. See, it’s definitely challenging when you come to Sri Lanka. Yes, it’s the subcontinent, but at the same time the pitches are slightly different — not too different from India, but different enough. When the spinners bowled really well back then, all the top spinners were playing. Even now, I think it’s almost a similar scenario. But at the end of the day, you have to challenge yourself