Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav slammed 61 runs in just 25 balls against Zimbabwe in Sunday’s T20 World Cup game, which Sunil Gavaskar was mighty impressed with.
Speaking to India Today after the match, Gavaskar praised Suryakumar’s batsmanship, his ability to hit unorthodox shots and play with the field. Gavaskar went as far as calling SKY the new Mr. 360 – a title reserved for arguably the greatest player of the 21st century AB de Villiers.
“Each of those innings was pretty much 360 degrees. He is the new Mr. 360 degree. There was that one shot that he hit for a six just to the left of the wicketkeeper.
Then he went a little squarer in the final overs, for example, taking advantage of the angle that the bowler was trying to aim at. Then also the lofted extra cover drive, he has got every shot in the book. There was a straight drive as well,”
Gavaskar said.
Yadav was the second highest run-scorer in the Super 12 stage, only behind Virat Kohli’s 246, having scored 225 runs from five innings at a ridiculous strike rate of 193.96.
Suryakumar’s 61 propelled India to a strong total of 186/5 – the highest at the MCG in the tournament. The Indian bowling attack then did a fantastic job as they won the match comprehensively by 71 runs. The former India legend added that Suryakumar has been the difference between India posting average totals and above-par totals.
“He is actually turning out to be the player who is taking India to totals which you can defend. The score India got was the highest T20I score at the MCG. Without his 61 not out, India would not have reached even 150,”
Gavaskar added.
The dynamic Indian middle order batter has been remarkable in the shorter format this year, smashing 1026 runs for India at an average of 44.60 while striking at 186.54. Suryakumar has blasted nine fifties and a hundred in this period.
