SKY has 1 straight six & four, everything else is behind: Mukund
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has witnessed some exceptional batting performances, and one such player who has caught the attention of fans and experts alike is Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav, also known as SKY. The talented batsman has been in fine form, racking up 475 runs in the tournament so far. However, former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund has offered a unique perspective on SKY’s batting, stating that the player’s strength lies in his ability to hit a single straight four and six, with everything else being a struggle.
In an interview, Mukund pointed out that SKY’s batting is heavily dependent on his ability to clear the front square and hit a straight four or six. “From the front of square till long on, Suryakumar has not scored anything,” Mukund stated. This implies that SKY’s batting is not as well-rounded as one might expect, with his scoring coming primarily from the boundaries hit through the off-side.
The highest score made by SKY in this year’s IPL is 68*, which is a testament to his ability to accelerate when required. However, it’s interesting to note that his scoring has been largely driven by his ability to hit boundaries rather than building a solid foundation or rotating the strike.
Mukund’s comments may seem harsh, but they do offer a unique perspective on SKY’s batting. The former India cricketer is not suggesting that SKY is a one-dimensional batsman, but rather that his strengths lie in his ability to clear the boundary. This is a valuable asset in the shortest format of the game, where teams often look to accelerate in the later stages of the innings.
SKY’s IPL 2025 campaign has been a remarkable one, with the batsman averaging over 50 and striking at over 150. His ability to hit boundaries at will has been a key factor in MI’s success, with the team currently sitting at the top of the points table.
However, as Mukund pointed out, there is room for improvement in SKY’s batting. The batsman has been dismissed by spinners on several occasions, which suggests that he may need to work on his techniques against slower bowlers. Additionally, his struggles against pace bowlers have been a concern, with the batsman often looking to take a defensive approach against the quicker bowlers.
Despite these concerns, SKY remains one of the most feared batsmen in the IPL. His ability to clear the boundary with ease makes him a valuable asset for MI, and his presence in the middle order has been a key factor in the team’s success.
In conclusion, while Mukund’s comments may have been perceived as harsh, they do offer a unique perspective on SKY’s batting. The former India cricketer is not suggesting that SKY is a one-dimensional batsman, but rather that his strengths lie in his ability to clear the boundary. As the IPL 2025 continues, it will be interesting to see how SKY’s batting evolves, and whether he can continue to dominate the competition with his unique brand of aggressive batting.
Source: https://x.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1918256655554494930
