VVS Laxman Calls Suryakumar Yadav An Exceptional T20 Batsman
Mar 3, 2021 at 3:23 PM
VVS Laxman has labelled Suryakumar Yadav an “exceptional” T20 batsman, considering his all-round batting abilities. The Mumbai Indians star middle-order batsman earned his maiden Team India call-up for the T20I series against England, starting on March 12.
During a discussion on the Star Sports show Cricket Connected, former batsman VVS Laxman was asked about Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion in the Indian team and how big an opportunity it is for him.
VVS Laxman: Suryakumar Yadav Is Technically Sound And Elegant
The Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor pointed out that the 30-year-old is an outstanding T20 batsman and is proficient against both pace and spin.
“He is so elegant, he is technically sound, great shots against the spin bowlers and the fast bowlers, I think he is an exceptional T20 batsman,” said Laxman.
VVS Laxman observed batsman Suryakumar Yadav would have fulfilled a long-cherished dream by making it into the Indian squad for the first time after missing out last time on the Australian tour.
“Coming into the Indian squad is a dream come true for anyone because they work hard, there is so much of competition and once maybe the toughest dream in their life has been realised, nothing more pleasing and satisfying than that. What he has done is the right way to break open the door,” said Laxman.
Suryakumar Yadav scored above 400 runs in each of the last 3 editions of IPL. He averaged above 30 in first-class, List A and T20s with 44 being his average in first class. He has also picked 24 wickets in first-class and 6 scalps in each of List A and T20s bowling either medium or off-break.
India have named three of IPL 2020’s top performers – batsman Suryakumar Yadav, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, and allrounder Rahul Tewatia in their squad for the 5-match T20I series against England that begins from March 12.
The squad also sees the return of Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rishabh Pant and Varun Chakravarthy, but the injured Manish Pandey, Sanju Samson, and Mayank Agarwal, who were all part of India’s last T20I assignment in Australia late last year, have missed out on selection.
VVS Laxman: Suryakumar Yadav Has Scored Tons Of Runs For Mumbai And In IPL
The former Indian cricketer highlighted that Suryakumar Yadav had barged open the door with his exploits in domestic cricket and match-winning performances for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
“He has gone back to first-class cricket, scored tons of runs for Mumbai. When he is playing in the IPL, he is the main batsman along with some of the stalwarts in the Mumbai Indians team and wins matches, not only scores runs but handsomely wins matches for them,” added VVS Laxman.
Suryakumar Yadav has been in stellar form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. The Mumbaikar has smashed 332 runs in the five matches he has played, doing so at an excellent average of 66.40 and an outstanding strike rate of 151.59.
The swashbuckling batsman was also one of the star performers in the Mumbai Indians’ title-winning run in the 2020 IPL. He amassed 480 runs in IPL 2020 held at UAE at an impressive average of 40.00 along with a strike rate of 145.01.
Suryakumar Yadav will hope to continue in the same vein in the 5 matches T20I series against England and cement his place in the Indian T20I team. Excellent performances may see him inducted into the ODI squad too where several senior batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant may be given a break.