From making his international debut at 30 to being named India’s T20I captain just three years later, Suryakumar Yadav’s journey is one of the most inspiring stories in Indian cricket. In the latest episode of Deep Point on Star Sports, experts Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar discussed his rise and leadership potential.
SKY: India’s Best T20I Batter?
Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Suryakumar Yadav is India’s best T20I batter, emphasizing how his transformation from a lower-order KKR batter to a world-class T20 player has been remarkable.
He remarked, ‘Suryakumar Yadav’s evolution has been nothing short of phenomenal. Who would have predicted that he would go on to become the best T20I batter in the world?”
Early in his career, SKY was predictable, relying on just a couple of shots.
Over time, he developed an all-round 360-degree game, making him the world’s No. 1 T20I batter.
The Secret Behind SKY’s Success
Sanjay Bangar highlighted SKY’s proactiveness, imagination, and adaptability as his key strengths.
He elaborated, ‘It requires immense courage and the instinct to predict the ball’s trajectory even before it’s delivered. That’s what sets him apart.
Unlike most 360-degree players, SKY can change his plan mid-shot, reacting to the delivery and punishing bowlers accordingly.
His ability to read bowlers and counter their adjustments makes him a nightmare for opposition teams.
SKY as Captain: The Future of India’s T20 Team?
Bangar admitted he was surprised when Yadav replaced Hardik Pandya as captain but believes he is the right choice for the new generation of T20 stars.
He stated, “He handled the transition well. After the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja, he is the best fit to lead this young squad.”
India under SKY’s captaincy: 16 wins, 4 losses in T20Is
Manjrekar’s verdict: Like Bumrah in Tests, SKY is the best player in India’s T20I setup and the perfect captain.
The Importance of Coaching Support
Manjrekar stressed that a strong coach-captain partnership is crucial for SKY’s success as a long-term leader.
He said, “In T20Is, you need outside inputs. If he has a great coach working alongside him, he could be a great long-term leader.”
He also hopes SKY has influence over team selection, backing exciting talents like:
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson
Rinku Singh
Varun Chakravarthy
Final Thoughts
Suryakumar Yadav has proven himself as India’s best T20I batter. His captaincy record is strong, and he fits well into India’s new era. With the right coaching and team selection power, he could lead India to T20 dominance.
Should SKY be India’s long-term T20I captain?