Title: SKY has 1 straight six & four, everything else is behind: Mukund
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to unfold, one player who has caught the attention of fans and critics alike is Mumbai Indians’ (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav. With 475 runs to his name, SKY has been in sensational form, and his impressive performance has led to a lot of discussion and analysis. In a recent interview, former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund shared his thoughts on Suryakumar’s game, saying that the batsman has a tendency to score only one straight four and six, with everything else being behind.
Mukund’s statement may seem surprising at first, given Suryakumar’s impressive overall numbers in the tournament. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the former India opener is making a valid point. Suryakumar’s highest score in this year’s IPL is 68*, which suggests that he has struggled to go big and dominate the opposition.
In fact, a closer look at Suryakumar’s scores in the tournament reveals a pattern. He has scored 68 against Rajasthan Royals, 39 against Delhi Capitals, 35 against Punjab Kings, 34 against Kolkata Knight Riders, and 33* against Chennai Super Kings. While these are respectable scores, they also indicate that Suryakumar has not been able to dominate the opposition and score big.
Mukund’s statement about Suryakumar’s game is also backed by the data. According to ESPNcricinfo, Suryakumar has scored 144 runs from front-of-square shots, but only 57 runs from mid-off to mid-on. Similarly, he has scored 106 runs from long-on to long-off, but only 22 runs from mid-wicket to fine leg. This suggests that Suryakumar is relying heavily on shots played between long-on and long-off, and is not able to score freely in other areas of the ground.
So, what does Mukund mean when he says that Suryakumar has only one straight six and four? Essentially, he is saying that the batsman has a tendency to score only one big shot in an innings, either a four or a six, and then relies on singles and doubles to build his score. This approach can be effective, but it also means that Suryakumar is not able to dominate the opposition and score big.
Mukund’s comments are not meant to criticize Suryakumar’s performance, but rather to highlight the areas where he needs to improve. As a batsman, Suryakumar is known for his ability to play aggressively and score quickly. However, his tendency to rely on shots played between long-on and long-off suggests that he may be playing too conservatively at times.
To improve his game, Suryakumar needs to work on his ability to score freely in all areas of the ground. This can be achieved by practicing shots played through mid-off and mid-on, and by working on his ability to rotate the strike. Additionally, Suryakumar needs to be more aggressive in his strokeplay, and look to score big shots more frequently.
In conclusion, Abhinav Mukund’s statement about Suryakumar Yadav’s game is a valid one. While the batsman has been in impressive form, he still needs to work on his ability to score freely in all areas of the ground. By practicing his shots and being more aggressive in his strokeplay, Suryakumar can take his game to the next level and become an even more effective batsman for the Mumbai Indians.
News Source:
https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1918256655554494930
