Suryakumar has long been heralded as the next 360-degree talent in international cricket, with comparisons to South African star AB de Villiers. On Sunday, he replied to the similarities, prompting a million-dollar reply from De Villiers.
AB (360-degree) about Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav once again showed his ability to knock the ball all over the park during India’s T20 World Cup encounter against Zimbabwe at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scoring an incredible 25-ball 61 to help India win by 71 runs and lead the table on their way to the semi-finals. Suryakumar has long been heralded as the next 360-degree talent in international cricket, with comparisons to South African star AB de Villiers.
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On Sunday, after his knock against Zimbabwe, he replied to the similarities, prompting a million-dollar retort from De Villiers himself. Suryakumar’s scorching knock disturbed Zimbabwe’s attack just as they were about to record their second-largest victory in the T20 World Cup, after stunning Pakistan last week. In his undefeated performance, he hit six boundaries and four maximums, including that incredible scoop shot against the ball down the sixth-stump line, over a fine leg fence.
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At the MCG, it was genuinely 360-degree strokeplay at its finest. As a result, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan couldn’t help but inquire about the similarities between himself and De Villiers. “There is only one 360-degree player in the world, and I will attempt to play like him,” answered Suryakumar after being named ‘Mr. 360’. Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir also was effusive in his admiration for Suryakumar as he told Star Sports, “There are guys like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma, who are extremely conventional players.
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Suryakumar Yadav is unique. Enjoy, watch, and savor it. Because these kinds of players are hard to come by, and India has never had one, particularly at No. 4. You’ll have conventional players who will provide far more consistency, but picture Suryakumar’s strike rate of, what, 180? Above 200 runs, and three fifties…he is already the Player of the Tournament for me, even if India does not win. Because of the influence he has made, he is already the best.”
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