Harbhajan Singh Hails Suryakumar Yadav’s Form Ahead of T20 World Cup Super 8 Stage

Harbhajan Singh believes that Suryakumar Yadav’s recent return to form is a positive sign for India as they prepare for the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The former spinner emphasized Suryakumar’s pivotal role in the Indian lineup, describing him as the team’s biggest match-winner.

Suryakumar Yadav: India’s Biggest Match-Winner

During a discussion on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh highlighted the significance of Suryakumar’s performance, especially his half-century against the USA. “It’s extremely important. We always talk about match-winners. I feel Suryakumar Yadav is the biggest match-winner in this team because the day he plays, he not only wins the match but takes the match far away from the opposition,” Harbhajan remarked.

He further added, “He is a special player. He is a different-level player. It’s good that runs came from his bat that day because if those runs hadn’t come, it could have been a cause for worry. However, runs coming from his bat is an auspicious sign for India.”

Easing the Dressing Room Nerves

Harbhajan Singh also noted the calming effect Suryakumar has on the Indian dressing room. “It’s a great sign for the dressing room as well because when he bats, the dressing room is absolutely calm. They know that until he is there, he will win the match and come out,” he said. 

Suryakumar had a slow start to the T20 World Cup, scoring just nine runs in his first two innings. However, he bounced back with an unbeaten 50 off 49 balls in India’s seven-wicket win against the USA, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

Suryakumar’s Unique Scoring Areas

Navjot Singh Sidhu, also part of the discussion, praised Suryakumar’s unconventional scoring techniques. “He has made areas where playing shots was considered a crime his own. Almost 40% of the runs in his innings were in the fine-leg area. He is playing in the reverse V. He is doing a 360-degree attack. So you cannot set a field. When you cannot set a field, you are left stunned,” Sidhu explained.

Sidhu also acknowledged Suryakumar’s status as a game-changer in world cricket. “The pace at which he scores, if he scores more than 50, he will win the match. Very few players play at that pace. Maybe Hardik Pandya and Travis Head, that too with the new ball against the short ball. There are very few game-changers,” Sidhu added.

Suryakumar Yadav has amassed 2,200 runs at a strike rate of 168.06 in 60 T20I innings. His record includes four centuries and 18 half-centuries, with 17 of those 50-plus scores contributing to Indian victories. These statistics underline his importance to the team and his ability to influence the outcome of matches significantly.

With India securing a spot in the Super 8 stage after winning their first three Group A games against Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA, Suryakumar Yadav’s return to form comes at a crucial time. The team’s final group game against Canada was abandoned without a ball being bowled, but India’s performance so far has set a positive tone for the upcoming challenges.

As the T20 World Cup progresses, India will rely on Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive batting to navigate through the intense competition and aim for glory on the global stage. His ability to dominate and innovate with the bat will be key to India’s success in the tournament.

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