SKY: India's T20I Ace : Sanjay Manjrekar Praises Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I Star, Like Bumrah in Tests

Mumbai, Jan 30 (NationPress) Celebrated for his remarkable ability to hit in every direction, Suryakumar Yadav is regarded as the top player in India’s T20I squad, akin to the ICC Player of the Year 2024 Jasprit Bumrah in the Test format, according to former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. Surya’s journey is one of the most motivational tales in Indian cricket, debuting for the national side at the age of 30 and swiftly rising to become the captain of India’s T20I team within three years.

In a recent episode of Deep Point on Star Sports, analysts Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar discussed Yadav’s position as India’s premier T20I batsman and his potential as captain.

Manjrekar firmly endorsed SKY as India’s best T20I batter, emphasizing his phenomenal ascent through the IPL to his current status. "This transformation took considerable time; it wasn't an overnight success. He initially played for KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders), and I recall he had only two shots. He would predictably play the flick shot on the first ball, irrespective of where it pitched. The evolution of Suryakumar Yadav is astounding. Who could have foreseen that when he was batting lower down the order for KKR, he would ascend to become the world's best T20I batsman?"

Another former Indian player, Sanjay Bangar, elaborated on how the 34-year-old batsman’s skill is amplified by his creativity and flexibility.

"The essence of his success lies in proactiveness. It requires substantial imagination, bravery, and the foresight to predict the ball's trajectory before it is bowled—that’s his signature trait," remarked Bangar, who is the Head of Cricket Development at Punjab Kings and a former head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore. "During the Asia Cup, we noted how, even when bowlers adjusted their deliveries after Surya positioned himself, he still had alternative options to capitalize on. That’s his unique talent. Many players can hit in every direction, but his ability to change his approach in response to a delivery is remarkable," Bangar added.

Regarding Yadav’s leadership, Bangar expressed surprise at Hardik Pandya being sidelined but suggested that Yadav might be the perfect leader for India’s upcoming T20 talent. "Honestly, I was taken aback that he was appointed captain because until that moment, Hardik Pandya was seen as the captain-in-waiting. His management of that transition demonstrates his exceptional people skills. It’s still in the early stages, but he’s a great fit for this youthful squad following the retirements of Jadeja, Kohli, and Rohit. That’s a significant advantage—he can lead this new generation, someone who is one of them," Bangar remarked.

Under Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, India has achieved 16 victories and only four losses in T20Is. Manjrekar believes his status as the team's best player makes him the ideal choice to continue leading the squad.

"He possesses a remarkable temperament. Throughout his career, it’s evident that after a strong innings, he maintains a cheerful demeanor during interviews. He’s jovial. Just as Bumrah is essential for India's Test captaincy, SKY is undoubtedly the standout player in this T20I team," he stated.

Manjrekar also stressed the necessity of robust coaching support for Yadav’s captaincy. "In T20Is, having a great coach supporting the captain is vital, as outside perspectives are crucial. I believe he could be an excellent long-term leader. I’m eager to see if he influences team selection, as I’m looking forward to seeing players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh making a comeback, and even Varun Chakravarthy receiving an opportunity."

Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead India in the fourth T20I against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune this Friday. Currently, India leads the five-match series 2-1.