The 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia this year, is set to start in less than three weeks’ time. Ahead of travelling to Australia to take part in the mega event, Team India is involved in a three-match T20I series against South Africa these days in order to step up their preparations. India will enter the tournament as the world’s number one side and will be one of the favourites to bag the title as well, despite suspense over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability.
If Bumrah fails to make the cut, it will be a big blow to India’s chances, but still India will be tipped to do well. The presence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav makes India’s batting order one of the best in the world. They can rip apart any opposition on their day and win matches single-handedly for the side.
But according to former Australian spinner Brad Hogg, India’s success Down Under this year will depend a lot on the performance of the world’s number two T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav. The 32-year-old Mumbaikar is the leading T20I run scorer this season and has been in superb form. He scored back-to-back match-winning fifties against Australia (3rd T20I) and South Africa (1st T20I).
“If India are going to win this year’s T20 World Cup, it will be because of Suryakumar Yadav. He is the most important player in the team as he is creative and inventive. He has a hundred in the shortest format and recently played a match-winning knock against Australia,” Hogg said.
“If they set a good platform and things are going really well, he can turn a 150-score into a 190-200 off his own bat. At No. 4, he’s got the best strike rate in T20I history. He’s got a good average to go with it as well. If the top-order loses early wickets, he comes in, sums up the situation, and works out how he’s going to put India in a position to give themselves the best chance to win,” the Australian added.
Surya scored his maiden T20I century against England in the third T20I on July 10 in Nottingham. He made 117 off 55 balls and his innings was laced with 14 fours and six sixes.
