Can Suryakumar emulate his celebrated predecessors?
Indian cricket has traditionally been synonymous with batsmanship. Over the years, players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have blazed phenomenal international careers, setting benchmark after benchmark. Now, with the spotlight focused on senior pro Rohit Sharma and fiery young talent Ishan Kishan, another beneficiary of India's production line of stellar batters is stepping forward: Suryakumar Kumar.
A middle-order maestro, Kumar has been praised for his flair and instinct in cricket's shortest format. He has even been compared to the legendary Tendulkar and former South Africa captain AB de Villiers.
Kumar's baptism under fire was a baptism of fire. He made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in March 2021, scoring a brisk 14-ball 18. He then shone as India's standout performer at the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, scoring 370 runs in just six matches. In doing so, he surpassed the previous record of most runs scored in a single T20 World Cup, set by Sharma with 319 runs in 2022.
The right-hander followed this up with a scintillating century (101 runs off just 51 deliveries) against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, proving his ability to perform under pressure. With India's eyes firmly set on glory in the continental tournament, Kumar's experience could be a decisive factor.
Kumar's leadership qualities have also been noted, with many calling for him to be appointed captain in the absence of Rohit, who is currently recovering from an injury.
"He's (Suryakumar) come into the team and he's looked at as someone who's very experienced. He's also looked at as someone who's very aggressive, which is great from the team's perspective," said former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar.
"When he bats, he has a constant communicate (with the bowlers). He keeps telling them what the batters are trying to do, what the bowler is trying to do. He's very proactive. So, I do believe that if the captaincy comes his way, he will also be a very successful captain because he's a thinking cricketer," he added.
Title: Can Suryakumar emulate his celebrated predecessors?
