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Suryakumar Yadav has been the X-factor of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022. The current no.1 T20I batter is not just third on the list of leading run-scorer but he is scoring runs at a strike rate of 193.97. He is scoring boundaries every 3.5 deliveries which is making bowlers scratch their heads. Ahead of the semi-final clash against England, former English skipper Nasser Hussain revealed that he asked for Suryakumar’s weakness on a WhatsApp group full of statistician but it went silent.
"It was funny. I sent the CricViz guys a request. They were doing some prep for the game. I said 'Come on, send me the strengths and weaknesses of Suryakumar Yadav. And on the WhatsApp group I got some 15 strengths - plays pace bowling well, spin well, hits through the square, scoops it more than any cricketer in the history of the game," Hussain said on Sky Sports.
"Maybe, someone like a Mahela Jayawardene is the only one who has scored more runs behind square than him. His strike-rate all around. And then I said, 'Ok, weaknesses? And the WhatsApp just dried up. The only one they had was slow left-arm spin. And England don't have one. Dawson is in the reserve and I can't see them calling him up. He was hobbling."
Hussain feels that there is only one England bowler who can trouble Suryakumar. He named Mark Wood as the big wicket-taker. However, the express pacer has been ruled out of the semi-final clash at Adelaide Oval.
"It's going to have to be Mark Wood up front. I would use him just to test Suryakumar out. He pulled Jofra (Archer) for six of his first ball. He might want to go harder up front with Wood. You know anybody can fail," the 54-year-old opined.
Suryakumar has had a decent record against England as well. Earlier this year, he scored his maiden T20I century in a high-scoring run chase. He could not get the team over the line due to lack of support but registered the highest individual score (117) by an Indian batter in the format in international arena.
