Since that hook shot off Jofra Archer’s bowling for a six on his very first ball at the international level, Team India batter Suryakumar Yadav’s growth has been exponential.
He belongs to an elite list of batters who can not only post big scores but do so at a staggeringly high strike rate.
In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2022, Suryakumar established himself as more than a dependable middle-order batter on the back of 8 half-centuries and a century this year.
In the ongoing major event, he has continued his stunning form if not taken it up a notch, having compiled 168 runs in 4 games at a strike rate of over 180.
Such has been his brilliance with the bat that in a matter of just 37 T20Is, he dethroned Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan to take the top spot in the ICC rankings of T20I batters.
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Yadav thanked the Indian team management for their support upon learning that he was the new No. 1 T20I batter in the world while speaking on ICC's Digital Daily.
"The freedom from the (India) management is a big boost for any player because the number at which I bat there is a lot of pressure when you go into bat.
"I feel the way they have handled me and given me a green signal to express fearlessly and I enjoy what I do wherever I am in the side, even if I get out.
"Out of 10 times, if I am succeeding seven times why not take a positive route?" he stated.
The 32-year-old continued by stating that even though he has worked very hard to get to the top, maintaining it would be far more challenging.
"I am really happy with it (No.1 ranking) and it has been hard work all the way," he said.
"Reaching (No.1) was very difficult, but I think staying here will be more difficult.
"It will be a challenge, but I will try my best," he added.
Surya insisted that he won't change his approach dramatically during the match against Zimbabwe, which his team must win to keep control of their own fate of reaching the semi-finals.
"What I have learnt about my game and what I have learnt about T20 cricket is after seven overs and until 15 overs the other teams try and control the game,” Yadav said.
"That is the phase where I try and challenge myself and take the game on.
"I bat with a healthy strike rate and bat with a good run rate so my team and the batters coming in later on to finish the game have an easier job for them.”
(ICC INPUTS)
