New Delhi, Oct 30 (NationPress) Former fast bowler Varun Aaron expressed confidence in Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, predicting a significant innings for him in the upcoming second T20I against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

Arriving in Australia amidst doubts regarding his form, Suryakumar quieted his naysayers with a commendable performance of 39 not out in the rain-affected series opener in Canberra. He formed a notable partnership of 62 runs with Shubman Gill, who contributed 37 not out before the match was interrupted by rain.

“This innings of 39 in the first T20I against the Aussies will greatly enhance his confidence. Legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown that even after amassing 15,000 ODI runs, a temporary slump can cause self-doubt,” Aaron commented on JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’.

“Suryakumar, who was averaging merely 11 this year prior to this innings, showcased his true character. His first six off Josh Hazlewood was a bold statement, as he responded to being beaten on the previous ball with impressive flair,” he added.

“Although rain curtailed what could have been a stellar score, his mindset after Nathan Ellis’ over demonstrated his intent to win matches, and it was refreshing to see SKY finding his rhythm again, especially since he was previously ranked number one in T20 international cricket for an extended period.”

“When a player of his stature struggles for runs, questions begin to arise, making this innings a vital step in silencing his critics. We hope to witness a major performance from Suryakumar Yadav in the second T20I in Melbourne,” Aaron concluded.

Alongside Suryakumar, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill also regained his form during the rain-affected match.

“What makes Shubman’s attacking style so effective is the remarkable consistency of his technique, which remains largely unchanged across formats. We saw how his diligent preparation before the England Test series led to impressive performances. Transitioning between one-day cricket and T20 format should pose little challenge for a player of his caliber,” Aaron elaborated.

“His batting resembled the smooth operation of a Rolls Royce engine, effortlessly elegant while boasting an impressive strike rate of 185. Unlike many international cricketers who rely on aggressive shots, Shubman exemplifies exceptional class by placing the ball into gaps with perfect timing, making it appear natural and effortless,” the former pacer praised.

The second T20I of the five-match series will occur at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.