Suryakumar Yadav – famously known as India’s Mr 360° – is enjoying the form of his life. His T20I numbers this year are just crazy, and he now owns the #1 spot in the ICC T20I rankings.
But, what makes him such an effective batsman, and what is the secret sauce of his success? Also, which are his 3 best knocks of the year 2022?
To find all the answers, keep reading till the end.
SKY’s 2022 In a Nutshell
In 2022, SKY has played 26 innings, where he accumulated 935 runs. These runs have come at an amazing average of 42.5 and an astonishing strike rate of 183.69. In the meantime, he has scored 8 half-centuries along with one hundred.
These stats are just spectacular and have propelled him to the top of the ICC rankings. Unsurprisingly, he is also the highest run-getter in T20Is this year. The second on the list is Muhammad Rizwan, who has scored 888 runs on 717 deliveries. At the same time, Surya’s 935 runs have come in just 509 balls.
Here’s another astonishing stat about SKY that might blow your mind. His slowest half-century has come at a strike rate of 147.05. That’s an SR at which many players score their fastest half-centuries.
It just demonstrates that his success in terms of consistency and rate of run-scoring is matchless at the moment.
The Secret of Success
Now the big question is that what’s so special about this guy? The one-word answer to this question is range. Well, he is called Mr 360° for a reason. He can hit the same ball over extra cover that he hits over fine leg.
He plays all the orthodox shots like drives, punches, flicks, lofted shots, and hooks. Also, he can play unorthodox shots as comfortably, such as ramps, paddle sweeps, late cuts, or reverse sweeps.
That’s why he opens so many scoring options for himself, making it extremely hard for his opposition to restrict him. So, his wide range of shots is undoubtedly the most important factor behind his prolific success.
Top 3 T20I Knock of SKY This Year
Let’s take a look at 3 finest knocks that have come from SKY’s bat in 2022:
1) A Fighting Knock In Perth
India and South Africa locked horns in a crucial match on a pacey track in Perth. While batting first, India lost half their side for just 49 runs. With wickets tumbling on the other end, Surya kept his composure and played his natural game.
At a stage where most batters will try to survive, SKY took the attack to the Proteas’ quicks. His spirited knock included 7 fours and a maximum as he scored 68 off 40. The second-highest score by India was just 15, which shows how good an innings it was from the 32 years old.
His efforts dragged India to 133 for 9, which they couldn’t defend. But it was good enough to take the game to the last over.
2) A Sensational Ton at Trent Bridge
Back in July, England posted a massive 215 runs against the Indians in the 3rd T20I. In pursuit of a hefty chase, India lost their top 3 for just 31 runs in 5 overs. SKY not only kept India alive in the game but brought the game in balance at one stage. After 15 overs, he had raced to 93* off just 46 balls, and India required 66 off the last 30 deliveries.
There was no support for Yadav as India lost 3 more wickets in quick succession. He kept fighting alone and brought the equation down to 25 of 8 before falling for 117(54). England managed to win by 17 runs, but everybody was left in awe of SKY’s blinder knock.
3) A Whirlwind Cameo In Guwahati
It was the second game of the T20 series, and India were off to a fine start. When Surya arrived at the crease, the scorecard read 107 for 2 after 11.3 overs. Now, the need for India was to up the ante and take the score past 200 in 20 overs.
Who could have done that job better than SKY? India’s dynamite didn’t take any time to get in and smashed the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground. His scintillating knock lasted just 22 balls, 10 of which went beyond the boundary ropes (5 fours and 5 sixes).
His 61-run knock powered India to 237 in 20 overs as they edged a 16-run win to seal the series.
Wrap Up
Surya Kumar Yadav has now become the top-ranked batsman in the T20I rankings, and there’s no argument that he certainly is the best T20I batter in the world right now. His amazing wristwork and wide range of shots make him a force to reckon with.
His stats in the ongoing year have been truly phenomenal, and the way he is batting, he may get only better. So, it’s safe to say that sky is the only limit for SKY.
