Suryakumar Yadav’s 82-run unbeaten knock will definitely send a big signal to the other teams in the World Cup: AB de Villiers

Former South African dashing batter AB de Villiers has stated the Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav’s form would be crucial for the Men In Blue to defend the title in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, scheduled to start on February 7, in India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers has asserted that Surya’s 82-run unbeaten knock off 37 balls in the second T20I against New Zealand would send a big signal to other teams participating in the mega event. 

“If they wanted to win the World Cup, they needed their captain in form. His knock also definitely sends a big signal to the other teams in the World Cup. It had been over a year since he scored a T20I fifty. That is a long time, especially being captain; it would have played on his mind. But now that he is in form again, the rest of the team will take confidence from that, and they now look like the complete package. So it’s definitely a warning sign to all other teams,” AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

“He will be pivotal in the T20 World Cup, and it was really important for Team India to get him into form. In a chasing scenario under pressure after losing two quick wickets, him scoring a 37-ball 82 was exactly what the doctor ordered for Team India. The rest of the players seem in fine form, the bowlers and the batters; the only missing link was Suryakumar Yadav,” he added.

On the other hand, Suryakumar, after his knock in the second T20I, emphasized that he has been batting really well in the nets. He was elated to get back to his old form. Notably, this was his first half-century in T20Is after more than a year.

“I was batting really well in the nets. Everything I did back home over the last two or three weeks helped. I got a good break to spend time with my family and friends, had good practice sessions, and I’m really enjoying what’s happening right now,” Suryakumar said after the second T20I vs NZ.

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