If Suryakumar Yadav does not fire, India will struggle to score 140-150: Sunil Gavaskar

T20 World Cup 2022: Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Suryakumar Yadav for helping India post massive totals in the ongoing edition of the mega event in Australia.

If Suryakumar does not fire, India will struggle to score 140-150: Sunil Gavaskar. Courtesy: AP

By India Today Web Desk: Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar reckoned that Team India would struggle to score 140-150 if Suryakumar Yadav has a bad day in the office. The 32-year-old Suryakumar is in prime form as he is the second-highest run-scorer for the Men in Blue in the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup.

In five matches, Yadav has scored 225 runs at an average of 75 and an incredible strike-rate of 193.96. Gavaskar heaped praise on the right-hander, saying that he is the new Mr. 360-degree batter.

“Each of those innings was pretty much 360 degrees. He is the new Mr. 360 degree. There was that one shot that he hit for a six just to the left of the wicketkeeper. Then he went a little squarer in the final overs, for example, taking advantage of the angle that the bowler was trying to aim at. Then also the lofted extra cover drive, he has got every shot in the book. There was a straight drive as well,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying to India Today.

On Sunday, November 6, Yadav scored an unbeaten 25-ball 61 with the help of six fours and four sixes. India posted a target of 187 for Zimbabwe to chase down at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Yadav played a stupendous knock.

“He is actually turning out to be the player who is taking India to totals which you can defend. The score India got was the highest T20I score at the MCG. Without his 61 not out, India would not have reached even 150,” he stated,

Gavaskar also mentioned that KL Rahul needs to carry on his good work after initially failing in the first three matches of the tournament. The Little Master was of the opinion that if Suryakumar fails in one game, Rahul has to take charge.

“I think at the moment, there are two batters who are in prime form, Kohli and Suryakumar. It was also good to see KL Rahul get yet another half-century, but he has to look to get more than that for a simple reason. If Surya doesn’t fire, then India will struggle to get 140-150. It’s therefore very important for Rahul to keep going,” Gavaskar added.