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'I Think He's Pulling Off Shots That I Never Did' - AB de Villiers On Suryakumar Yadav

image-ljmstqohSuryakumar Yadav hugging RCB legend AB de Villiers (iplt20.com)

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has paid a glowing tribute to Suryakumar Yadav, stating that the Indian swashbuckler can pull off shots that he could never do during his career.

One of the most versatile batters to ever grace this beautiful sport, De Villiers earned the moniker of 'Mr 360 degree' during his career for his ability to paint almost every corner of a cricket ground with his glorious strokeplay.

In the past two years, Suryakumar Yadav has drawn comparisons with AB due to his ability to do the same in the game's shortest format.

While Suryakumar has been hugely successful in the shortest format, he has not been able to replicate the same in ODI cricket, something De Villiers feels that it's just a matter of time before the Mumbai cricketer starts doing the same in that format.

"I think it's incredible. I think he's pulling off shots that I never did. I really do, when it gets going, it’s lovely to watch. I think he’s got a long way to go still. I think there’s more to come. I think there’s even a better player in the future, so that’s very exciting. His biggest challenge will be to be consistent in all the formats and to figure out his game in Test cricket, in ODIs and in T20 and understand how it works for him," De Villiers was quoted as saying by JioCinema.

"I think he should actually just realize it’s all exactly the same. I do see a lot of similarities. He’s just going to be able to shift through the gears and I mean, it’s incredible to watch. He can score all around the ground. And when he’s confident, he moves so slowly and he sets it so beautifully upright."

Surya has featured in 48 T20Is thus far, in which he has hammered 1675 runs at an average of 46.53 with a tremendous strike-rate of 175.76, with 16 fifty-plus scores, including three hundreds.

As far as the ODI format is concerned, SKY has managed just 433 runs in 21 outings at a mere average of 24.06. 

With the 50-over World Cup on the horizon, the management will desperately hope that he turns around his fortunes in the format in the upcoming months. Nevertheless, the right-handed batter will next be seen during the three-match ODI series on the West Indies tour.