Former South Africa great gives brutal verdict on comparison between AB de Villiers & Suryakumar Yadav

AB de Villiers and Suryakumar Yadav are often mentioned in the same breath for their fearless, 360-degree batting and ability to play shots few others even attempt. Yet, their careers have unfolded in very different ways. De Villiers, the former South Africa captain, proved his greatness across all formats and is widely regarded as one of the finest batters the game has ever seen.

Suryakumar, on the other hand, has built his reputation primarily in T20 cricket. While he leads India in the shortest format and dominates attacks with his innovation, his impact in other formats has been limited. In 37 ODIs, he hasn’t managed to mirror his T20 success, and his Test career has so far been restricted to just a single appearance. Still, his unconventional stroke play has regularly sparked comparisons with De Villiers.

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, however, isn’t buying into that comparison-at least not anymore. While waiting for a flight in Mumbai, Steyn was asked on social media to choose between AB de Villiers and Suryakumar Yadav. His response was sharp and unambiguous- AB de Villiers every time, without a second thought. The playful but pointed remark quickly went viral, with fans interpreting it as a brutal vote of confidence in the Proteas legend rather than a compliment for the Indian star.

Also Read: Will pace sensation Umran Malik be able to revive his career?

What made the moment more intriguing was Steyn’s own history of praising Suryakumar. Back in 2022, the pace great had spoken highly of the Indian batter, applauding his intelligence at the crease and his ability to manipulate pace. Steyn had highlighted Surya’s strength in playing behind square, his comfort on both the front and back foot, and his adaptability on fast, batting-friendly Australian pitches. At the time, he even suggested that Suryakumar could be India’s answer to AB de Villiers.