T20 World Cup 2022: He could be India’s version of AB de Villiers – Dale Steyn on Suryakumar Yadav

India’s talisman batter Suryakumar Yadav is well known for his all-around batting and he is often compared with AB de Villiers for his ability to score runs around 360 degrees. SKY has been in tremendous form for India as he has been performing consistently.

The right-hander from Mumbai has a great ability to hit the ground running and he can take the attack on the opposition bowlers from the get-go. Yadav has scored 1045 runs in 34 T20I matches at an average of 38.7 and a staggering strike rate of 176.82.

The linchpin has scored nine fifties and one century in the shortest format of the game and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup.

Yadav recently scored 119 runs in the three T20I matches against South Africa and he was also awarded the Player of the Series. Earlier, he had scored 115 runs in three matches against Australia in the T20I format. Furthermore, he scored a fine fifty in the warm-up match against Western Australia to continue his good form.

Former South African gun fast bowler Dale Steyn believes the Australian batting conditions will suit Suryakumar Yadav’s style of play.

“Suryakumar Yadav is the kind of player that likes to use the pace of the ball. He likes to get in behind the square. In places like Perth, Melbourne, all of these grounds, there is a little bit of extra pace on it. So, you can use the pace, you can hit on fine leg, behind, and all along the carpet. And he’s also really good when standing still and getting off the back foot. So, he’s an all-around player, and it’s in Australia, where the wickets are so good, they are batter-friendly,” Dale Steyn told Star Sports.

“You can also get away when a bowler tries to bowl full, you can place the ball left and you can use the pace of the ball really well, given some room. So, he is a wonderful 360 degree player, and reminds me of AB de Villiers. He could be India’s version of AB de Villiers and with the red hot form that he’s in right now, he’s a player to definitely watch out for this World Cup.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the MCG on 23rd October.