Xtra Time Web Desk: Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 22 ball 61 runs knock against South Africa in the 2nd T20I at Guwahati once again established the fact that he is the biggest gamechanger in the format now in world cricket. Since missing that crucial fixture against New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2021 due to back spasms, SKY has come a long way. He has established himself into a marquee batter in the Indian line -up despite the presence of superstar cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. The significance of SKY’s wicket cannot be undermined anymore, keeping in mind the top three.
On Sunday, Surya went on to become the fastest batter to score 1000 runs in T20 format. He has scored 1000 runs from 573 balls with a whopping strike rate of 174, which is the best among batters in contemporary cricket. Australia’s Glenn Maxwell took 604 balls to reach 1000 runs in T20 format.
There are batters who can make batting look effortless, but players like Suryakumar Yadav, make it look absurd. SKY is fast establishing himself into once in a generation cricketer. For India to do well in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, Suryakumar’s form is imperative. SKY has been at forefront in India’s recent T20 success.
The hallmark of Surya’s batting is his attacking approach. There is no other batter in this current Indian line-up who identifies, or indeed signifies, that thinking more.
Simply put, if India are to win this upcoming T20 World Cup, then SKY needs a stellar tournament in Australia. This transformation in dependency from the top-order trio to the number four batter is the singular biggest change in India’s World Cup hopes going from 2021 to 2022.
The biggest transformation in Suryakumar’s career happened when he joined Mumbai Indians from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2018. Since joining MI – Suryakumar has averaged 39 and scored at 8.2 runs per over, or a strike-rate of 137.
The consistency he’s managed in the last five seasons in IPL is almost unmatched. Only AB de Villiers boasts of making such an impact. It is still early days to put SKY in the same bracket as AB, but he has earned the right to at least be compared with the original Mr 360 in world cricket.