India’s middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav laughed off suggestions that included his premature and incorrect comparison with former Australian batter Michael Bevan ahead of the second ODI against West Indies.
Speaking to the press on February 8 in Ahmedabad, Suryakumar was left surprised as a journalist talked up his comparison with Bevan following his measured effort in steering India to the finish line in the opening one-dayer of the series.
With India suffering a mini-collapse in their run-chase of 177, Suryakumar played a counterattacking 34 not out off 36 balls to put the pressure back on the Calypso Kings and finished off the proceedings along with debutant Deepak Hooda.
Standing till the end led a journo to liken the Mumbai cricketer, so unique in his playing style and role, with the former Australian middle-order batter and that brought about an interesting response from him.
“Michael Bevan, huh?. Sir, I’ve just played five games. Or maybe seven. Let me remain Suryakumar Yadav (laughs).”
Whatever number I can bat, whatever situation I am in, if I can make the team win from there, that will be my focus. But I want to be fearless as I am, always,”
he said, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Suryakumar had two major reasons to feel bemused for the comparison. First, as he said, he is too early into his international career. Making his T20I debut in March and ODI debut in July last year against England and Sri Lanka, respectively, the middle-order batter has played only 11 T20Is and five ODIs for the country.
Secondly, the contrasting style and approaches to the game that Bevan carried and Suryakumar does. While India’s No.5 is an attacking player with the evident willingness to take risks against pace and spin, Bevan was an accumulator that looked to bat deeper into games and reserved the big shots for the end-overs.
Known for his batting in run-chases, Bevan averaged 85.44 in successful instances batting second against top eight nations. But his strike-rate was only 67.10.
