Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif is highly impressed with the way Team India’s star batter Suryakumar Yadav has maintained his stunning form in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The veteran has played a stunning knock of 61* against Zimbabwe and also brought up 1000 T20I runs in 2022 as well.
Kaif shared that he hasn’t seen many middle-order batters who can dominate the opposition the way he does while playing under pressure with a high strike rate at the same time.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Mohammad Kaif said: “Genius. I have seen very few knocks in life where player bats at No. 4 and still maintains a strike rate of 180 and the bowlers simply have no answer. They don’t have any answer to his scoop shots and even to his shots in front of the wicket.”
Mohammad Kaif also opined on how his ability to put pressure on the opposition.
He continued, “When he walks out to bat, India either have lost the wicket of openers or that of Virat Kohli. So the opponents think that this is time to capitalize. However, he just comes to the crease and starts dominating the bowling. I have seen very few players with such game-changing ability.”
Mohammad Kaif also praised veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the way he bowled against Zimbabwe. The off-spinner ended up with fine figures of 3/22.
“Ashwin made a good comeback because initially he was attacked by the Zimbabwe batters and was expensive. He adjusted his pace later and bowled slower through the air, which is why people call him an experienced bowler. Rohit Sharma and management have backed Ashwin the all-rounder ahead of Chahal and he has made some meaningful contributions,” Mohammad Kaif further stated.
However, he also opened up on KL Rahul’s fifty and how his coming back to form is crucial for Team India as well. Meanwhile, India need to beat England in the semifinals on Thursday at Adelaide to reach the final.
“Although he (Rahul) is starting his innings a bit slow, he has made up for it on the last couple of occasions. Him returning to form is crucial for India’s chances because the opening has been a bit inconsistent and Rahul looked a bit out of form. He can play the big shots and that’s why he is rated as a big player. His critics wanted him to be dropped but this shows that the player has quality,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.
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