Suryakumar Yadav Goes Above Babar Azam To 2nd In ICC T20I Rankings

28.09.2022 - 11:37 sports.ndtv.com

India's star batter Suryakumar Yadav shot up two places in the ICC men's T20I rankings for batters and is now second on the charts, only behind Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan.

Suryakumar's recent blitz of 69 off 35 deliveries in the third T20I against Australia meant he moved above Pakistan captain Babar Azam and South Africa's Aiden Markram in the rankings.

Earlier, Suryakumar had pipped Babar to go third in the rankings after his 25-ball 46 in the first T20I against Australia, but Babar went above him again after hitting a stunning century in the second T20I against England.

Suryakumar fell for a golden duck in the second T20I against Australia, which saw him drop below Markam as well, but he is back in the top three, and will now aim for the top spot, with India taking on South Africa in three T20Is beginning Wednesday.

cricket Babar Azam Suryakumar Yadav Axar Patel Mohammad Rizwan Australia South Africa India Pakistan

Surykumar Yadav has become one of the best T20 batters going around in the world and it is no surprise that opposition bowlers talk highly of game. The right-handed batter was on song in India's first official warm-up game against Australia ahead of the T20 World Cup as he registered a half-century. His knock helped India post more than 180 runs on the board and he was finally dismissed by Kane Richardson in the final over of the innings.

Watch: ICC's Rohit Sharma-Babar Azam "Best Friends" Post Goes Viral

The T20 World Cup in Australia will be starting on Sunday with Sri Lanka squaring off against Namibia. However, the Super 12 stage will resume on October 22 with the match between New Zealand and Australia. However, all eyes are on the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan that will be played on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On Saturday, the ICC organised a Captains' Day where all 16 skippers of the participating teams engaged with the media.

Babar Azam Presented With Birthday Cake During ICC Captains' Day Ahead Of T20 World Cup. See Pics

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is one of the finest batters going around in world cricket right now, and he would hope to put on a good show for his side at the upcoming T20 World Cup, beginning Sunday. Pakistan will play their first match of the tournament on October 23 against arch-rival India. The apex cricket body, ICC organised a Captains' Day media call on Saturday where all 16 skippers were made available to speak to the media. Knowing how it was Babar's birthday, Australia captain Aaron Finch presented him with a cake and the Pakistan skipper celebrated his day with other 15 captains.

Suryakumar Yadav Remains Static At 2nd In T20I Rankings, Mohammad Rizwan Still Occupying 1st Spot

In-form batter Suryakumar Yadav continued to be the top ranked Indian batter in the shortest format, holding on to his second spot in the latest ICC T20I rankings released on Wednesday. Suryakumar, who finished India's recent T20I series at home against South Africa as their leading run-scorer, is on 838 points, behind Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan. The 32-year-old is the lone Indian in the top 10.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav's Massive Six En Route Half-Century Against Western Australia

Arguably the finest T20 batter in the Indian cricket team at present, Suryakumar Yadav looked in top form once again as Rohit Sharma's men took on Western Australia in a practice match at the WACA. Gearing up for the T20 World Cup, the Indian team is set to play a few practice contests, including one each against Australia and New Zealand, before the showpiece event begins. On Monday, it was Suryakumar Yadav's heroics with the bat that inspired India to a victory.

"There Were Butterflies": Suryakumar Yadav On First Practice Session In Australia Ahead Of T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma-led Team India reached Australia on Thursday to start their preparation for the T20 World Cup. The side will play two practice games against Western Australia on October 10 and 13 and then after that, the side will square off against Australia and New Zealand in the warm-up fixtures ahead of the marquee event. Suryakumar Yadav, the No.2 ranked batter in ICC T20I Rankings, is one of the most destructive batters going around in world cricket and in a matter of one year, he has become the lynchpin of India's batting in the shortest format.