The in-form Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav, according to legendary Australian fast-bowler Brett Lee, will one day play a significant role in the Indian team's World Cup victory. Yadav rose to prominence in T20I cricket in 2022 with to his 360-degree performance and astounding smashes.
He has 1,164 runs in 31 matches, an average of 46.56, and a strike rate of 187.43, making him the player with the most runs in T20Is so far this year. He also dominated the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia, where he had never before played in a professional cricket match. Yadav changed the pace of India's innings frequently as he scored 239 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 189.68.
"SKY was one of the highlights for me at the T20 World Cup. He continues to bat with the same attitude. Not only will he score big runs but he will also someday win a World Cup for Team India. I love watching him play. My advice to SKY would be, no advice. Keep doing what you are doing, don't change, don't complicate things, back yourself," said Lee on his YouTube channel.
Suryakumar once again mesmerised cricket fans shortly after the T20 World Cup when he smashed 111 not out off 51 balls against New Zealand at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. In that game, the remaining batters for the visitors scored 69 runs off of the same number of balls, and Virat Kohli referred to Suryakumar's performance as a "video game inning" on Twitter.
"India did not win the T20 World Cup by the SKY rose. Of course, I am talking about Suryakumar Yadav. He is the new global T20 superstar. What a sensational 12-15 months he has had on the big stage."
"He has shown here on Australian grassy wickets where the ball skids through. His fearlessness and his shot selection are like a chess grandmaster. His execution is awe-inspiring and the smile on his face when he played it, it is priceless," added an impressed Lee.
Regarding Yadav's shot-playing style, which has distinguished him from other players, Lee said that his fundamentals of the game are in order and urged Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to give him the opportunity to succeed for India in the years to come.
"Because he has his foundation in place, I enjoy the way he makes the seemingly impossible shots. He doesn't just stand there and attempt to hit a ball that isn't even there. He plays with great technique and is unquestionably a player of the future."
"You can depend on Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid to just let him be who he needs to be. The sky would clear, and India might reach many more peaks in the years to come as a result."