In the third and final T20I match against Australia on Sunday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India batter Suryakumar Yadav once more proved his strength with a fiery knock of 69 runs in 36 balls. Suryakumar and Virat Kohli formed a 104-run partnership to help Team India reach their target of 187 with six wickets remaining.

The team led by Rohit Sharma also won the three-match T20 series 2-1 with this victory. Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistan leg-spinner, praised Suryakumar and predicted that he would surpass everyone to become one of the greatest batters ever.

“I have been saying this for a while now, Suryakumar Yadav is one of the best batters. With his 360-degree repertoire, I’d say that the sky is high. The way he bats, it’s like he is announcing himself. He was outstanding in the third T20I. He has a different way of playing and he is surely going to be a very big player. The way he bats, he will make people forget all the other batting greats. Yes, Kohli will score a lot of runs and Babar will be very successful, but Yadav will leave everyone behind,”

Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.

Kanera also praised Kohli for keeping up a steady partnership with Suryakumar even though Team India had lost openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at crucial times. 

“A lot of people have been saying that Virat Kohli is Adam Zampa’s bunny. But Kohli took him to the cleaners this time. He was exceptional. While Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were dismissed early, Kohli and Yadav steadied the ship, making the most of the opportunity. Kohli guided Yadav well, and there was a clear understanding between them. The Australian bowlers had no answers against these two batters. If they continue to bat this way, India will surely overpower every team in the T20 World Cup,”

Kaneria said.

Suryakumar and Kohli played 69 and 63, respectively, in the match. Team India beat the 187-run target in the third T20I by six wickets to win the series 2-1.

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Tim David and Cameron Green had earlier contributed to Australia’s 186/7 score in 20 overs with scores of 54 and 52, respectively. Axar Patel returned for India with three wickets.

The three-match T20I series between Team India and South Africa begins on Wednesday.