Suryakumar Yadav has impressed one and all with his exploits in the shortest format of the game ever since his debut in 2021.
The Indian swashbuckler has played 53 T20Is so far, amassing 1841 runs at an average of 46.02 and a remarkable strike rate of 172.70, including three hundreds and 15 half-centuries. He also won the ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year award for his brilliance in the shortest format last year.
However, Suryakumar has failed to make a mark in the 50-over format as of now. In 26 ODIs, he has scored 511 runs at an average of 24.33 with two fifties.
Despite the poor numbers, the selectors have picked him in the squad for the ongoing Asia Cup and the upcoming ODI World Cup at home.
While Suryakumar’s World Cup selection has received a mixed response, South African legend AB de Villiers has endorsed it, saying that the dashing right-hander needs a slight tweak in his mindset to flourish in ODI cricket.
“You guys know I’m a big fan (of Surya). He plays in a similar manner to how I used to play, but in ODIs, he hasn’t cracked it yet,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
“It is a tiny little mind switch that he’s got to make, and he’s got all the ability and capabilities that he needs to do that,” he added.
“I am very relieved to see SKY in the World Cup squad, I’m very happy about it. I hope he gets this opportunity in this World Cup. Looking at the balance of the Indian squad, he might not start, but a World Cup is a long tournament. So let’s see what happens then,” he further remarked.
There is also an argument that Sanju Samson, who boasts an average of 50+ in ODIs, should’ve been preferred over Surya.
Commenting on Samson’s snub, De Villiers said: “I don’t have to say much about him. We know what he’s capable of. I’ve been on the receiving end for RCB, watching him score 92 not out at the Chinnaswamy. The ball was flying all over the place. He’s also got the conventional cricket game and technique where he plays with a straight bat, plays the ball nicely. He’s got a good pull and hook shot.
“He’s got everything in his bag. It’s all in the mind and it’s a matter of adapting to ODI and gameplans and the World Cup and the pressure thereof. So yes, two great players,” he said.
AB de Villiers also advised Rohit Sharma and his men to “go fearless” in their bid to lift the World Cup at home.
“I think India’s squad is incredible, really, really strong. The only worry I have for India is playing at home. They played in India, they won. There will be huge pressure. That’s the only big obstacle in my opinion.
“But if they can get rid of that and just free themselves up, I see no problem for India. Control what you can control. But go fearless. Fearless is the word I’m looking for the Indian squad. If they can do that, they’ll go a long way and most probably lift that trophy,” he said.
India will open their World Cup campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on October 8.
