Ricky Ponting, Suryakumar Yadav
Ricky Ponting, Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo: Twitter)

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Suryakumar Yadav should bat at No.4 for India in Twenty20 Internationals and has compared the rising sensation to South Africa legend AB de Villiers.

Yadav’s first ball in international cricket was as good a sign of his skill and boldness as any, as he drew a Jofra Archer short ball aiming at his head for six with a quick swivel.

Still, longevity, like with any natural skill, is the strongest indicator of a truly world-class player and Yadav followed up on his auspicious start with stunning performances over the next year and a half, kicking off his career in the Indian jersey on a high note.

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav. Image: Twitter

Suryakumar Yadav Scores In 360 Degree: Ricky Ponting

“He’s a very, very exciting player and I’m sure someone that’s going to find himself in their team, not just their squad,” Ponting said on the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“He’s quite a confident person. He backs himself and he’s never going to step down from a challenge or any situation that arises in a game. I feel he thinks he can win that situation and therefore go on and win the game for his team.

Suryakumar Yadav (Image Credits: Twitter)
Suryakumar Yadav (Image Credits: Twitter)

Surya scores 360 degrees around the ground, a bit like an AB de Villiers did when he was in his actual prime. The lap shots, the late cuts, you know, the ramps over the keeper’s head. He can hit down the ground,” Ponting said.

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For Surya, it’s one, two or four. I think he can open, but I think he’s probably, you know if you could probably just keep him away from the new ball, let him control the middle part of the game outside the Powerplay, through in the middle, and if he’s in at the end, you know what can happen”, Ponting further added about where SKY should bat.

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