Aakash Chopra, a previous Indian batter, predicts Suryakumar Yadav could become the top T20 player ever. All he needs to do? Keep his present form for merely another year or two.
On Thursday in the third Twenty20 International against South Africa in Johannesburg, the right-hander blasted his fourth T20I century (100 off 56 balls) to lead India to a massive 106-run victory.
With four T20I hundreds to his credit, Suryakumar is currently tied for the most with Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma. From the beginning of the format, the top-ranked T20I hitter has been unstoppable. In the absence of more experienced players, he is even leading the Indian second-string team.
“If Surya keeps on playing like this, then it is only a matter of one or two years, that you have to declare that he is the greatest in the T20 format.”
Aakash Chopra
While Suryakumar’s feats were lauded by fans, some wondered why he couldn’t replicate it in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. On a slow surface, he managed only 18 runs from 28 deliveries.
“Team India rarely loses do-or-die matches. I was reading that as soon as you start praising someone, it reminds them of November 19. Even in the third T20I, it was kind of the same after Surya’s performance. So, for that I have to say, clinging onto the past at the expense of losing the present is not worth it. The formats were different, and it was not Surya alone that was out in the final. When he is scoring runs now, I think it is unfair to ask why did he not score in the final.”
Aakash Chopra
Furthermore, Suryakumar has been a completely different performer in the 50-over game than in the shorter format. His batting style is well-suited for T20 cricket, as seen by his exploits.
“You cannot even say that he is a flat track bully or a stat padder” – Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav’s four T20I hundreds have all come in different countries. His first three-figure T20I score came in England, followed by two more in New Zealand and India.
On Thursday, he beat MS Dhoni’s (46) record for the greatest score by an Indian T20I skipper in South Africa by a significant margin.
“All of Surya’s T20I hundreds have come in different countries. So, you cannot even say that he is a flat track bully or a stat padder. India won the third T20I because of him. Jaiswal also played really well at the top. He is really making a statement to be part of the team across formats.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra Added:
“In my opinion, at this point in time, he is the best T20 batter. There is no one better than him at present. If he continues playing like this for the next two years, including the 2024 T20 World Cup, he can retire as the greatest T20 batter when he chooses to leave the game.”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar has been the No. 1 T20I hitter for a long time and has lately increased his advantage over his contemporaries.