IND vs NZ: Is Suryakumar Yadav India's Best T20 Player? Tim Southee Answers

Veteran New Zealand National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Tim Southee was asked whether Suryakumar Yadav is India’s best T20 player he has bowled to, the Kiwi pacer responded that the star Indian middle-order batter will have to prove himself consistently to become India’s best batter in the 20-over format.

The No.1 ranked T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav smashed a marvellous century in the second T20I against the Black Caps at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, November 20. The 32-year-old toyed with the New Zealand bowlers and smashed an unbeaten 111 runs off 51 balls, including 11 fours and 7 sixes.

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Speaking after the match, Southee stated that India has produced several great cricketers over the years across all three formats.

“There has been a number of great T20 players from India, so many great cricketers. Surya has been having a great 12 months and it is for him to continue to do what he has been doing (for over a period of time),” Southee said when asked if Suryakumar is the best ever T20 player from India he has bowled to.

“India has produced so many amazing cricketers not only in the T20 format but also across the three formats. You have got so many players who have played for a long period of time and have achieved so much over a long period of time.”

The 33-year-old was also impressed with Suryakumar’s shot-making ability.

“He (Suryakumar) is a player who can hit in a number of ways. He has been in great form in the last 12 months — IPL and international cricket. He came up with a very impressive knock today,” said Southee.

I was a bit lucky there – Tim Southee on his hat-trick over

In the final over of the first innings, veteran pacer Tim Southee dismissed Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar on the trot to take a hat-trick, and India were restricted to 191/6. The senior Kiwi pacer said that he was a bit lucky in that last over.

“I was a bit lucky there, bowling the last over, it’s a nice feeling. Sometimes you bowled really well but don’t get the rewards, but today (it was different). It’s part of the game,” said the 33-year-old who has taken 132 wickets from 106 T20 International matches.

Southee added that it is never ideal for bowlers to bowl with a wet ball. He said:

“It’s never ideal (with wet balls), but it is the same for both teams. You have to adapt to the conditions.”

He further spoke about New Zealand getting bundled out for 126 while chasing 192 and said:

“Chasing that kind of a total, you needed a decent partnership at some stage. Another day, you would have got two or three early wickets (in the India innings).”

Also Read: IND vs NZ: “Suryakumar Yadav Is The Best Player In The World” – Kane Williamson Hails India Batter After Second T20I