Former World Cup winner Munaf Patel has come out strongly in support of Suryakumar Yadav, drawing a compelling comparison between the India T20I captain and modern greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in white-ball cricket. As India prepares for the final match of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Suryakumar’s numbers do the talking.

Patel is currently the leading run-scorer across both teams, striking at a breathtaking 192.47, underlining his value in the shortest format. Munaf’s comments come at a time when sections of fans and experts questioned Suryakumar’s place following an underwhelming 2025 by his lofty standards.

However, the former India pacer dismissed those doubts, insisting that players of Suryakumar’s stature must be backed through lean phases rather than judged in isolation.

WATCH – Quinton de Kock Reveals How A Borrowed Bat Led To His Stunning T20I Century

“Look, Suryakumar is Suryakumar. Just like you count Rohit and Virat in ODIs and Tests, Suryakumar is the Rohit and Virat of T20s,” Munaf Patel said on the Breaking Sports with Vivek Sethia YouTube channel. He added that team management often protects match-winners when results are going their way, as form can turn quickly for elite players.

Referring to Suryakumar as a “legend of the format,” Munaf Patel stressed that India’s winning momentum makes backing him a no-brainer. “When you are winning, you should back him. He 100% deserves his place. Like Virat and Rohit, he can play an innings that makes you forget everything else,” he noted.

WATCH – Arshdeep Singh’s Paneer Power Joke On Shivam Dube Lights Up Team India Camp

India currently hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The final game will be played on January 31 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Suryakumar will be eager to finish the series on a high and carry his red-hot form into the global tournament.