Former South Africa pace spearhead Dale Steyn feels the pace and bounce on Australian pitches should suit Suryakumar Yadav’s 360-degree game and make him India’s go-to player in the T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar, a key batter in India’s line-up, has been in brilliant form of late with a hat-trick of half-centuries in the recent home T20Is against Australia and South Africa. The other day also, he struck a 35-ball 52 in India’s practice game against Western Australia in Perth.

“Surya is a wonderful 360-degree player and reminds me of AB de Villiers. He could be India’s version of AB de Villiers. And with the red-hot form that he’s in right now, he’s definitely a player to watch out for this World Cup,” Steyn said on a Star Sports show.

The tournament begins on Sunday.

Explaining how the Australian conditions would be perfect for India’s No.4 to hit top gear, Steyn said: “He’s the kind of player who likes to use the pace of the ball.

“He likes to get in behind the square. In places like Perth, Melbourne and all of these grounds, there is a little bit of extra pace in the pitches. So you can use the pace and hit it to fine leg, behind and all along the carpet.

“Besides, he’s really good when standing still and playing off the back foot. He has played some amazing backfoot cover drives and some gorgeous cover drives off the front foot too.

“He’s an all-round player, and the competition is in Australia, where the wickets are so good. You can also get away when a bowler tries to bowl full. You can use the pace of the ball really well if given some room.”

Steyn also heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer, who was in phenomenal form in India’s just-concluded ODI series versus South Africa.

“There are just a few things you can do to improve your game. But the way Shreyas is batting at the moment, I don’t think he needs to change much,” Steyn said.