VVS Laxman, former Indian batsman feels that in-form Suryakumar Yadav may not find a place in the playing XI for the opening 50-over game on Tuesday as there are others who have performed exceedingly well in the format in recent times.
Suryakumar Yadav made his debut in the recently concluded T20I series against England which India won 3-2 after beating the visitors by eight runs in the fifth T20I. The right-handed swashbuckling batsman played three games and hit 57 and 32 in the fourth and final game respectively. In the second T20I, the debutant did not get a chance to bat.
VVS Laxman: Suryakumar Yadav May Not Be In XI Despite Being In Form
Suryakumar Yadav pulled the first ball he faced in international cricket for a six over fine leg, doing so against the express pace of Jofra Archer. It was one of the many breathtaking shots he played during his enterprising 57-run knock. Suryakumar Yadav hit his maiden fifty in international cricket, in only his 2nd match in Indian Blues after not getting a chance to bat in his debut game-the 2nd T20I of the series.
Playing his second innings in international cricket, Suryakumar Yadav raced to 32 off 17 balls with three fours and two sixes and added 49 quick runs with skipper Virat Kohli before getting out to Adil Rashid.
Speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected VVS Laxman said, “I actually don’t know whether he will get to play in the playing XI and that’s the depth in this Indian team. Whether you take Test, one-day, or T20I cricket, Suryakumar Yadav doesn’t get into the playing XI just because there are others who have performed exceedingly well in international cricket. Yes, he’s in form, but I would definitely go with players, who have shown that consistency in international cricket. So, for me, he won’t get into the playing XI in the first ODI.”
Shreyas Iyer has scored 807 runs in 21 ODIs averaging 44.83 with 8 fifties and a ton. The ton came against New Zealand in February 2020 while in the last ODI series against Australia, he managed only 59 runs averaging 19.67.
Suryakumar Yadav has played two T20I innings. He has scored 89 runs at an average of 44.50 and a strike-rate of 185.41. Such has been the impact of his batting, that Shreyas Iyer has been pushed down the order and Virat Kohli opened the innings just so that we could continue to see what the Mumbai right-hander is truly capable of.
He hasn’t disappointed. He had to wait for a long time before making his India debut and he is now determined to grab the opportunity with both hands. But despite the brilliance in the T20Is, former India batsman VVS Laxman feels that Suryakumar Yadav might have to wait a little more before playing in the ODIs.
VVS Laxman: Shreyas Iyer Is Ideally Suited For No. 4 But Didn’t Disappoint At No.6
When asked to pick between Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, the former batsman said he will go with the latter for the number six role as he has scored runs consistently in the past.
“I think it is very difficult to just choose one among both, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, because what really interests me was the way Shreyas Iyer batted at No. 6. He batted with authority, conviction and just understood the situation and played his shots right from the word go. Because we know that he is ideally suited for No. 4. He has done so well in both, one-dayers and T20Is in that position, but for the first time I have seen him bat at No. 6, and he didn’t disappoint anyone,” VVS Laxman said.
“Suryakumar Yadav is also someone who has got the talent, but with experience, I feel Shreyas Iyer will be my pick ahead of Suryakumar Yadav. Because we just can’t rely on one or two innings and we cannot really discount Shreyas Iyer’s performances in international cricket. Yes, Suryakumar Yadav has done really well for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but Shreyas Iyer has been very consistent in whatever opportunities he got at the highest level. So, I will always choose Shreyas Iyer to do that role,” VVS Laxman added.
The three-match ODI series between India and England will commence at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Tuesday.