Suryakumar Yadav was at his breathtaking best in India’s series-clinching 91-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Saturday (January 7).

Batting at No. 4, the dashing right-hander slammed 112 not out off 51 balls, propelling the hosts to a mammoth 228/5 in 20 overs. It was his third century in the shortest format of the game.

After the game, former cricketer Aakash Chopra showered rich praise on India’s T20I vice-captain, saying it's Suryakumar’s world and we are just living in it.

“It seems like it is Suryakumar Yadav's world, and you and I are living in it. He has struck his third T20I century. Who did he not hit and from where all have praises not come? When he plays, it is wonderful, incredible, amazing and unparalleled, and makes the match one-sided,” said Chopra while speaking on his Youtube channel.

"Suryakumar Yadav is playing differently. There are purple patches, this is the deepest shade of purple. Who struck the first century for India in 2023 - Suryakumar Yadav. He has struck three centuries,” he added.

Aakash Chopra backed Suryakumar Yadav to equal Rohit Sharma’s tally of hitting the most T20I tons for India.

"Rohit Sharma, with four hundreds, has scored the most T20I centuries in India's cricket history and has played a lot more cricket than him. He opens and Surya does it while batting down the order. He will make the fourth as well, he is not too far,” he remarked.

While Chopra acknowledged that Suryakumar plays high-risk cricket, he feels there is a method to his madness.

"He plays high-risk cricket but there is a method to his madness. He knows the fielders are not there in the areas he is targeting, so he backs himself. The scoop shot is very good, obviously it is predetermined, and the other shot he hits is over covers,” he stated.

Suryakumar Yadav will now be seen in action in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting January 10.