IND vs SA: “Best Middle-order Batsman In T20 Cricket” – Misbah-ul-Haq On Suryakumar Yadav

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Misbah-ul-Haq heaped praise on the star India National Cricket Team middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav and labeled him as the “best middle-order batsman in T20 cricket”.

Suryakumar, who is unarguably one of the best batters in the shortest format of the game currently, played an absolutely incredible knock against South Africa on Sunday at the Optus Stadium in Perth, where India lost by 5 wickets.

ICC Teams Rankings | ICC Players Rankings

All the Indian batters, except Suryakumar Yadav, struggled against Proteas’ pace attack on the bouncy surface and they were able to post 133 for 9 on the board. Suryakumar Yadav scored 68 runs off 40 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes, while the rest of the batters scored 57 runs off 80 balls.

Speaking on A Sports, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that he was stunned to see Suryakumar bat at a strike rate of 170 against a strong South African pace battery on a bowling-friendly surface.

“He is the best middle-order batsman in T20 cricket. At 170 strike rate, in this match situation, against this bowling, on this pitch, it’s amazing. I haven’t seen an innings like that. To play a dominating innings like that on this pitch …it seemed as if he knew where the ball would land and where he can hit it,” noted Misbah.

The reason for his success and consistency is that he doesn’t change his game – Shoaib Malik on Suryakumar Yadav

Veteran Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Shoaib Malik, during the same discussion, said that the real reason behind Suryakumar’s meteoric rise is that he doesn’t change his game. He even compared Suryakumar with AB de Villiers.

“The reason for his success and consistency is that he doesn’t change his game. Even when he gets out in 2 innings, the way of his playing is the same. Yes, he assesses the conditions and the bowlers well and decides what shots can work. He also plays with the minds of the bowlers. He knows what the bowler will bowl: this one will be outside off, this one will be short or at me.

“I would give the example of AB de Villiers here. He would know ok the bowler has bowled a yorker now, he will bowl a slow bouncer here or outside off stump,” he said.

Also Read: IND vs SA: “Suryakumar Yadav Har Taraf Bara Zabardast Khelta Hai” – Misbah-ul-Haq