Desi de Villiers: Surya hits a shot over Zameen Chakri and the wicketkeeper too

Dubai: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has compared Surya Kumar Yadav with AB de Villiers. If Australia’s world champion captain is to be believed, Suriya also has the ability to hit all fours in the field like the great South African player and should bat at number four in the T20 World Cup.

Ponting said in the new episode of ‘ICC Review’, ‘Suriya (Yadav) has the ability to hit shots all around the field just like AB de Villiers used to do. He can play all kinds of shots whether it is a late cut or a shot over the head of the wicketkeeper. He can also hit the ground sticking to the shot.

Suryakumar has so far scored 672 runs in 23 T20 matches for India. He is second only to Babar Azam of Pakistan in the ICC T20 Batsmen’s Rankings. He said, ‘He hits very good shots in the leg side especially his flicks on deep square leg are visible. He is a good player of both fast bowling and spin bowling.

Ponting said, “He is a very attractive player and I am sure he will be in the squad for more T20 World Cups. I can confidently say that Australian cricket fans will love his game.

Asked at which number Suryakumar should bat in the Indian XI, the former Australia captain said, “I think he should be in the top four. I don’t want him to open the innings. I think number four would be the most ideal for him. The T20 World Cup will be played in Australia in October-November this year.