Melbourne 23rd of August : India batter Suryakumar Yadav is among Shane Watson’s top five selections in the growing field of T20 specialists in the world, with the legendary Australian cricketer saying that the charismatic cricketer has performed “incredibly good” with the ICC T20 World Cup just around the corner.
Watson, in his ICC Review on Tuesday, however, said that he would not be surprised when KL Rahul, who led India to an ODI series win of 3-0 against Zimbabwe recently, “explodes” at the T20 World Cup in October-November this year.
“Second option (pick) is Suryakumar Yadav,”” Watson said Watson on Tuesday.”He’s bats extremely well and he is my No.2 choice.But I wouldn’t be shocked even should (India teammate) KL Rahul explodes in the T20 World Cup in Australia as he has the ability to dominate in the conditions in Australia.”
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting too had recently expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s capabilities, saying that the 31-year-old wasn’t the person to “step down” from a challenge , whatever be the circumstance.
An experienced veteran of 123 IPL games since 2012, Surya, who came into the national ODI and T20I setup a bit late in 2021 in 2021 -she has registered 672 runs in 23 T20Is, which includes five half-tons and a century and is being hailed as one of the stars in the World Cup Down Under.
Watson who is now with the Delhi Capitals as their assistant coach in the IPL Watson also said that Pakistan captain Babar Azam is his No.1 pick.
“First one I’d suggest is Babar Azam.Babar Azam is the No.1 T20I batsman in the world and he is able to dominate.It’s as if he’s not taking any chances and he is incredibly fast against the top bowlers in the world.
“He’s going to perform very good in Australian conditions (during the T20 World Cup) as well, since his style is specifically designed to work in Australian conditions.” Watson said.Watson.
Watson said he would pick Australia opening veteran David Warner as his No.3 pick, based his opinion on the 35-year-old’s performance in the last T20 World Cup in the UAE that the Kangaroos took home, and his performances in the IPL 2022 for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022.
“He (Warner) was awarded the Player of the Tournament in the most recent male T20 World Cup, with the Australians winning the trophy, and has made some fantastic runs for the Delhi Capitals (in the IPL) as well.He’s bound to have plenty of passion in his stomach to shine in the T20 World Cup at home and will be ready,” added Watson.
“No.4 for me will be (England’s) Jos Buttler,” Watson said.”During the IPL and a number of times at least, no one was able to keep him out.Four hundred has only been accomplished once in the IPL, with Virat Kohli doing it (in the year 2016).When you’re in form and he has been in good form, he’s almost impossible in T20 cricket to be beaten out.He can strike wherever he would like off the best bowlers in the world.
“And he knows Australian conditions extremely well.He’s played at the Big Bash and did very well in the past in the time I played with him in the Sydney Thunder.So Jos Buttler will be a dominant player,” said Watson.
Watson also included Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan as the fifth and final choice in Watson’s World T20 XI Top-5, noting that the tall bowler is a an exceptional talent.
“His (Afridi’s) ability to catch wickets is unique.We witnessed in the recent male T20 World Cup his ability to take the most talented batsmen out with that brand-new ball.I’d be shocked to find out that he does not take the lead in Australian conditions with the ball bouncing around, and bouncy, fast wickets.
“My only issue with him is that should he isn’t taking wickets to begin with or, he may stall slightly.But I’m sure he’s been working hard on this.I’d be amazed by the results if he doesn’t win here.”
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