IND vs SA: 'Suryakumar Yadav Might Not Win Orange Cap, MoM But He Will Win You Matches': Mohammad Kaif On India Star

In the T20 Internationals, Suryakumar Yadav is currently having a strong bat swing. The batter, who is ranked No. 2 in the T20I player rankings, has scored more than 700 runs this year in the format, which is the most runs an Indian batter has scored in a calendar year.

Yadav, who on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram against South Africa compiled one of his best fifty-scores on a challenging surface, is just 24 runs away from reaching 1000 runs in the 20-over format.

Additionally, he has scored runs this year at a staggering strike rate of 180.29. In 32 games, he had an overall strike rate of 173.35 and a career high 57 sixes and 88 boundaries for India. 

Mohammad Kaif Hails Suryakumar Yadav

Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian batsman, praised Suryakumar Yadav highly and noted how well he suited the No. 4 position. He referred to the hot player as a match-winner and singled him out for his capacity to compete on any surface against any opposition.

“Top class pacers or spinners, turning or seaming pitches, difficult match situation – nothing bothers Surya. He might not win orange cap, MoM but he will win you matches. No.4 pe rumal daal diya Surya ne, he’s not moving for a long time. @surya_14kumar,” tweeted Kaif. 

Top class pacers or spinners, turning or seaming pitches, difficult match situation – nothing bothers Surya. He might not win orange cap, MoM but he will win you matches. No.4 pe rumal daal diya Surya ne, he's not moving for a long time. ⁦@surya_14kumar⁩ pic.twitter.com/hVbPt2oQBp

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 29, 2022

As India travels to Australia for the much-awaited World T20 next month, Yadav will be in the limelight. One requirement in every 20-over game is the player’s ability to change gears, and he is renowned for his 360-degree strokeplay. 

Yadav’s batting power was on display in the opening game of the series against South Africa when he came in to bat at No. 4 and blasted two sixes off his first three deliveries. In an uninterrupted 97-run partnership with KL Rahul, who scored 51 not out, he helped India come back from 17/2. 

With more than three overs remaining and eight wickets in hand, India reached a modest 107 mark with Yadav still unbeaten on 50 off 33 balls. Shikhar Dhawan, who had scored 689 runs in a single calendar year in 2018, was overtaken by him. Yadav has scored 732 runs as of this writing.

Suryakumar Yadav also surpassed Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan to set a T20I record for the most sixes in a single calendar year. Martin Guptill also smashed 41 sixes in 2021, breaking Rizwan’s previous record of 42 sixes. The great Indian batsman has so far hit 45 sixes this year, bringing his total to 45. 

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