SKY has 1 straight six & four, everything else is behind: Mukund
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been a treat for cricket enthusiasts, with some remarkable performances from various players. Among those, Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav, also known as SKY, has been making headlines with his impressive run-scoring streak. As of now, he has accumulated an impressive 475 runs in the tournament, which is a testament to his skill and adaptability. However, according to ex-India cricketer Abhinav Mukund, SKY’s game is not as diverse as it seems.
In a recent interview, Mukund, who has played 44 Tests for India, gave an insightful take on SKY’s batting style. According to him, Suryakumar has only one straight six and four, and everything else is behind. “From front of square till long on, Suryakumar has not scored anything,” Mukund stated. This statement has sparked interesting discussions among cricket fans and experts, who are trying to understand the nuances of SKY’s batting.
On the surface, SKY’s numbers do seem to suggest that he is a powerful hitter who can clear the ropes with ease. His highest score in this year’s IPL is 68*, which is a clear indication of his ability to play big innings. However, Mukund’s comment suggests that SKY’s batting is not as varied as it appears.
The crux of Mukund’s argument is that SKY’s strong suit is his ability to hit the ball hard and long, particularly on the leg side. He has an impressive strike rate of over 140 in this year’s IPL, which indicates that he is a player who can accelerate the scoring rate dramatically. However, this also means that he has not been able to score runs consistently on the other side of the wicket, particularly on the off side.
Mukund’s statement has also sparked debate about the importance of playing shots on both sides of the wicket. In modern-day cricket, it is often said that a player needs to have a strong repertoire of shots to succeed at the highest level. This includes the ability to play late cuts, pulls, and drives on both sides of the wicket. SKY, however, seems to be more of a one-dimensional player who relies heavily on his powerful hitting on the leg side.
Despite this, SKY’s impressive run-scoring streak in this year’s IPL cannot be ignored. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate has been a major factor in MI’s success, and his partnership with Ishan Kishan has been particularly destructive. Additionally, his ability to play big innings has been a valuable asset for MI, who have struggled to find consistency in their batting lineup.
In conclusion, Mukund’s statement about SKY’s batting style has sparked interesting discussions among cricket fans and experts. While it is true that SKY’s batting is not as varied as it seems, his ability to hit the ball hard and long has been a major factor in his success in this year’s IPL. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if SKY can expand his repertoire of shots and become a more well-rounded batter.
Source: https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1918256655554494930
