T20 World Cup 2024

Suryakumar Yadav opens on what helped him become the number 1 batsman in 20-20 format

India’s rising sensation, Suryakumar Yadav made his T20I debut on 14th March 2021. It has been less than 20 months since playing his first match and Yadav has now become the number-one T20I batter in the world. On Wednesday, the Indian star batter surpassed M Rizwan to become just the second Indian batter to reach the number one position in the T20I rankings.

So far in his T20 international career, the Mumbai batter has played 38 matches and has 1209 runs to his name at an astonishing strike rate of 177. His ability to score runs all around the park is what sets him apart from the other players in world cricket.

After reaching the milestone, the Indian batter was asked about the reason behind attaining success in such a short period.

“The freedom from the (India) management is a big boost for any player because the number at which I bat there is a lot of pressure when you go into bat.” said Yadav.

“I feel the way they have handled me and given me a green signal to express fearlessly and I enjoy what I do wherever I am in the side, even if I get out. Out of 10 times, if I am succeeding seven times why not take a positive route?”

The 32-year-old batter has been in red-hot form in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022. He failed to deliver in India’s first match against Pakistan but went all guns blazing, thereafter. Suryakumar Yadav scored 51 runs in just 25 balls against the Netherlands at a strike rate of over 200.

In India’s third game against South Africa, Yadav was the only batter who stood tall and faced the fierce Proteas bowling attack. On a surface where all the other Indian batters struggled, Yadav played an outstanding knock of 68 runs in 40 balls. It was followed with another vital 16-ball 30 against Bangladesh in Adelaide.

India will be playing their last Super 4 match against Zimbabwe and the Mumbai batter would be looking to make the most out of it.