New Delhi: Former India pacer Varun Aaron has expressed confidence that Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, will deliver a major performance in the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday.
Suryakumar Regains Form After Lean Patch
Suryakumar, who had been under scrutiny for his recent form, impressed with an unbeaten 39-run knock in the rain-affected series opener at Canberra.
His innings, complemented by a 62-run stand with Shubman Gill (37 not out), helped India make a strong start before rain halted play.
Aaron, speaking on JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’, said the innings would give Suryakumar a much-needed confidence boost.
“This innings of 39 will greatly boost his confidence. We’ve seen with legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma that even after scoring 15,000 ODI runs, a short lean patch can make you question your ability,” Aaron said.
He praised Suryakumar’s intent, especially his response to Josh Hazlewood after being beaten on the previous delivery.
“That first six against Hazlewood was a statement. Most batters would have turned cautious, but he counterattacked brilliantly. It showed his character and reminded everyone why he was the world’s top-ranked T20I batter,” he added.
Aaron further noted that Suryakumar’s positive approach, even in a shortened game, was a strong sign of his return to form.
“This knock helped silence critics. Hopefully, we’ll see a big innings from him in Melbourne,” he said.
Gill’s Form and Technique Impress
Aaron also lauded Shubman Gill’s return to form, calling his batting “effortlessly elegant.”
“Shubman’s attacking game works so well because his technique remains consistent across formats. We saw how his preparation before the England Test series paid off, and adapting to T20 cricket is natural for someone with his class,” Aaron remarked.
He compared Gill’s style to a “Rolls Royce engine” — smooth yet powerful — noting that his 185 strike rate demonstrated both precision and poise.
“While others rely on brute force, Shubman uses timing and placement to find gaps, making batting look effortless,” he added.
Series Continues at Melbourne
The second T20I of the five-match series between India and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, where both Suryakumar and Gill will look to continue their return to form.