Within two years of making his international debut with India, Suryakumar Yadav has risen to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings.
His body language and confidence at the crease as a swashbuckling hitter have caught the attention of many fans.
Many SKY supporters have drawn comparisons between him and the South African superstar AB de Villiers because of his remarkable shot-making abilities. In that light, here are three ways in which Suryakumar Yadav and De Villiers are alike:
#1 Both of them plays shots all around the ground (360 degrees)
Suryakumar Yadav hit a massive six over the fine leg off Jofra Archer on his debut ball in international cricket. Indian sports enthusiasts needed no more evidence that they had a talent of unprecedented calibre on their hands.
When SKY scored his maiden hundred for India against England at Trent Bridge, he stepped up his game to the next level. Fans and pundits alike were blown away by some of his spectacular shots.
One might argue that it was that innings that solidified Yadav’s reputation as India’s “Mr.360,” a moniker formerly associated with AB de Villiers for his propensity to knock shots all over the dial.
#2 He gets going right from the first ball
During the T20 World Cup, the Pakistani team celebrated when Haris Rauf dismissed SKY, demonstrating the psychological influence he now has on the opponent even though he hasn’t faced a single ball.
Just like a peak AB de Villiers, Suryakumar Yadav can get going from the first ball and terrify the opposition with his presence at the crease. Bowlers have a far better chance of getting rid of him when he is first stepping up to the crease before he has had a chance to settle in.
Suryakumar Yadav has an incredible strike rate of 183.80. He has scored 965 runs so far this year. These astounding statistics demonstrate conclusively that he is more dangerous to the opposition the longer he is allowed to remain at the crease.
#3 He enjoys a spectacular relationship with Virat Kohli
The cricketing community is aware of the close bond between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers due to the fantastic partnerships they have formed while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
When the former Indian captain and SKY had “that” moment during the 2020 Indian Premier League season, few people saw it coming.
Many people predicted that Kohli and Yadav wouldn’t become good friends, but the reality has been quite the contrary. The two have a fantastic knowledge of how to pace their relationship, and it shows in their steady play for India.
Both Kohli and SKY have made it clear that they like working together on the field of play. The friendship between the two has been invaluable to Team India, as they have shared in a pair of century stands so far this year.
However, only time will tell whether Suryakumar Yadav becomes as revered as De Villiers was. But one thing is certain: when he finally hangs up his boots, he will be a bona fide member of that league.
