India vs Pakistan: Suryakumar Yadav Is A Dangerous Player Once He Sets In – Wasim Akram
Published - 23 Aug 2022, 07:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:12 AM
Former Pakistan legendary pace bowler Wasim Akram has been impressed by Suryakumar Yadav’s talent and considered him to be a threat to Pakistan in their upcoming clash.
Suryakumar had to wait for a long period to make the cut for India in the international arena. However, his persistency in IPL and India A tours forced the selectors to pick him for the England T20Is at home in March 2021.
The rise of Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is
The Indian batter fashionably started his career, as he opened his account with a six off England speedster Jofra Archer’s bowling in the third T20I in Ahmedabad.
The Mumbai batsman also made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in July 2021 and bagged the player of the series award for scoring 124 from three innings.
In the T20I series against England, Suryakumar pummelled 14 fours and six sixes during his 55-ball 117 that kept England away from the game until the penultimate over, where Moeen Ali was successful in having the fiery Indian batter caught at long-off.
Suryakumar Yadav is a very dangerous player once he sets in: Wasim Akram
Suryakumar joined the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda in scoring a century in T20Is.
Suryakumar has amassed 672 runs in 21 T20I innings at 37.33 and a strike rate of 175.46.
“Of course, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are there, but one of my favourite players these days, in this shorter format is Suryakumar Yadav. He has been phenomenal,” Akram said in an interaction organised by Star Sports.
“I saw him the first year when he had joined the Kolkata Knight Riders and he played a couple of games batting at No. 7 and 8. And a couple of shots he played – the one that he picks from the middle of his bat towards fine leg – that’s an unusual and difficult shot to muster,
“And since he has made it to the Indian squad, he has been a treat to watch. I think he is a very dangerous player against either spin or fast bowlers once he sets in and he is actually 360° player who can play either this side, that side… the lap shot, towards cow corner, equally good against spinners,” added Akram.
Suryakumar is part of India’s Asia Cup squad and will play a key role in the middle-order. India face arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
