Last Update: January 09, 2023, 10:32 AM IST
Suryakumar Yadav has three T20 hundreds in 43 innings. (AP Photo)
Suryakumar Yadav hit a century as India beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs in Rajkot
Suryakumar Yadav continues to dazzle with his breathtaking strokeplay drawing comparisons with some of the legendary batsmen to have played the game. Rajkot in Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Suryakumar scored an unbeaten 112 off just 51 balls to set up a huge win for India, which also helped them win the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Apart from showing an impressive consistency in T20Is, the way he plays his shots is nothing short of amazing. And that he can pull them off on a regular basis has only added to his reputation.
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The century in Rajkot was the third century of Suryakumar’s T20I career, which began in March 2021. He took just 45 balls to reach the milestone – the second fastest by an Indian.
Veteran all-rounder Kapil Dev says he is at a loss for words and added that Suryakumar’s range has made life difficult for the bowlers.
Kapil said, “There are times when you are at a loss of words how to describe it.” ABP News, “When you look at Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, you wonder if there will ever be a player who can make you believe that he is at the same level. There is a lot of talent in India. And the kind of cricket he plays, especially the lap shot at fine leg. What does the bowler do then? They are scared of bowling full to him – he can hit you over mid-on, hit you for a six. It becomes difficult for a bowler. He continues to choose line and length. He is messing with the bowlers.”
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Kapil compared Suryakumar to some of the legendary batsmen and said that he has never seen anyone hit the ball as cleanly as the 32-year-old.
“It is rare to see someone strike like that. I have seen amazing players like AB de Villiers, Vivian Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, but few can hit the ball as cleanly as Suryakumar. Hats off to him!” said Kapil.
He further said, “Suryakumar Yadav is playing with the mindset of the players. In tennis you try to predict whether the serve will land to your right or left. He can quickly predict where the bowler is going to land. Very few players have the god-given ability to play like this. It’s not easy. Players like him come once in a century.”
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