Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes that hard-hitting batter Suryakumar Yadav should bat lower down the order as he got the ability to take on the bowlers at the backend of the innings. The 32-year-old could not make an impact with the bat in the 1st ODI against West Indies in Barbados.
The number one T20I batter in the world failed to capitalize on the limited opportunity provided to him in the ODI format as he became the first batter to get out on the first ball in three consecutive ODI against Australia in the last ODI series on home soil and was dismissed for 19 runs in the 1st ODI.
Wasim Jaffer believes that the best position for Suryakumar Yadav is NO.5 and No.6 in the ODI format to start things as the lows to take on the bowlers when there are fewer overs around and feels he can move up the order once he starts scoring then the 360-degree batter can be moved up the order in the batting order.
“In my opinion, the best position for him in ODIs are No.5 and No.6. I would start with him at No.6 in the first ODI. Once he gets going there…because that’s how he plays in T20 cricket also, he bats at No.3 or No.4, but the overs are a little shorter,” Wasim Jaffer told Espncricinfo.
“So, once he gets the hang of it in ODIs, I think No.4 is a little too early for him. If he starts scoring, then I would think of him moving up the order at No.5, or even further,” he stated.
The failure in the 1st ODI has only extended his unimpressive run in the 50-over format. Shreyas Iyer has done exceptionally well to seal that No.4 spot for India, but his injury has opened the doors for the Mumbai Indians batter in the playing 11.
Suryakumar Yadav Continues To Remain In The Audition – Aakash Chopra
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra raised his concern regarding the wasted opportunity by Suryakumar Yadav in the 1st ODI and reckons that he can be part of the India World Cup squad only if score runs for the team as the management continues the audition for the Number 4 spot, with uncertainty looming over the return of Shreyas Iyer in the team.
“Then came Suryakumar Yadav – that’s another question. This was an opportunity for him. I had kept Suryakumar Yadav in my World Cup team but for that, he will have to score runs. He was sent to bat at No. 3 so that he goes and collects runs, and his name continues to remain in the audition,” Aakash Chopra said in Jiocinema.
Shreyas Iyer has been an important player for the Indian team in all three formats of the game in recent times, though injuries have curtailed his career and the KKR Skipper has shown tremendous capability across formats of the game and his return to the team will be crucial for the team going into Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.