India’s middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav has been in some terrific form off-lately. The sensational batter has changed the dynamic of batting with his 36-degree batting skills in the shortest format of the game. SKY was rested for the Bangladesh ODI Series in order to manage the workload. He will be next seen in action during the Ranji Trophy game against Hyderabad starting at the MCA-BKC ground on Tuesday.
He is the highest T20I run-getter of 2022. With over 1200 runs from just 38 matches at an average of 40.30, Suryakumar has become a T20I sensation and is not behind in ODIs either. He has been receiving praise from all corners for his batting heroics in the limited format of the game. Impressed with his batting heroics, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had predicted that the batter would be a force to reckon with in the Test format as well. It would be interesting to see whether team management will give an opportunity to SKY in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023.
During the World Cup, Shastri told one of the broadcasters: “I think he is a three-format player. I know they don’t talk about him for Test cricket. Let me tell you. This guy can play Test cricket and he can surprise a few. Send him there at No. 5 and let him stir it up,”
Meanwhile, in an interview, Suryakumar was asked about playing in the Test format. Responding to this, SKY revealed that representing team India in the longest format as well is his dream. He said: “Yes, obviously, I have always dreamt of playing Tests for India as well. When you start playing cricket for your state, you start with the red ball. Gradually you get into the white ball team. I feel that this is the best format of the game, and I really enjoy playing it,”
He added: “When I started playing age group cricket and the Ranji Trophy, I played red ball cricket only. At the start of my career, I earned slowly recognition through red ball cricket. My white ball exploits came later. The red ball format is very close to my heart. I really enjoy playing it,”
Well, the Indian cricket team will be seen locking horns with Australia on February 2-23 in the much-awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy. It won’t be wrong to say that SKY could be the x-factor for team India against the Australian attack.
