Former Indian pacer RP Singh backs Indian middle-order batters; Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer to be part of the Indian squad for the ODI World Cup, later this year in India. Rohit Sharma-led side is still unsure about the availability of Shreyas Iyer for the World Cup, who is recovering from a long-standing injury.
The No.4 spot in the ODI team is still up for grabs after Shreyas Iyer’s injury just like in the 2019 World Cup where India played Ambati Rayudu as a specialised batter before the marquee event and suddenly replaced him with Vijay Shankar stated that he gives a “3D” option to the team, as the idea failed miserably as he could not impact for the team.
Speaking on the Jiocinema, RP Singh feels that Suryakumar Yadav is a good option to play at the No.4 position for the team alongside Shreyas Iyer in the team as he can be a backup option in the team and believes that he has the ability to play for India at the No 4 and 5 position.
“Suryakumar Yadav is a good option for No 4, along with Shreyas (Iyer), provided he is fit. But if you are looking at him even as a backup option, it is important to give him game-time and he is certainly a good pick.
“Suryakumar is yet to make his mark in one-day cricket but the way he is batting, and the kind of batter that he is, he can be a good option for No 4 or 5,” RP Singh said.
There were many talks around, Suryakumar Yadav’s performance in the ODI format. Shreyas Iyer has done exceptionally well to seal that No.4 spot for India, but his injury has opened the doors for the Indian 360-degree batter to play for India in the ODI format.
Suryakumar Yadav Will Have To Change His Game-plan A Bit – RP Singh
RP Singh believes that it is important to have the right backup options going into the ODI World Cup later this and hailed Suryakumar Yadav for his form in the T20 format of the game and wants him to change his game plan and take his own time to settle down in the middle.
“You must always have backup options heading into major tournaments. His current form in T20 cricket has been very good, one-day format is different because you have (to face) more balls. Due to that, he will have to change his game plan a bit,” RP Singh added.
The 32-year-old could not make an impact with the bat in the 1st ODI against West Indies in Barbados. The failures have only extended his unimpressive run in the 50-over format and the 360-degree batter will look to do well against the Men in Maroon in the next two ODI to make his case strong for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.