Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Suryakumar Yadav will be given a chance during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The right-handed batsman has struggled to make his mark in the 50-over format but has managed to earn a place in Team India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad. Suryakumar has been exceptional for Team India in the shortest format, but he has been unable to translate the form into ODIs and has often struggled to find the right rhythm.
He was given several chances when fellow middle-order batsmen KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were ruled out due to injuries. However, Suryakumar could not take full advantage of it, his lowest point being getting out for three consecutive ducks against Australia in the home ODI series. Admitting that playing Suryakumar Yadav is a big temptation for Team India, Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports:
“KL Rahul coming in at that position is good for Indian cricket because they wanted to test his match fitness out. If India is looking to test the waters before the World Cup, then you must give Suryakumar a game. His One-Day credentials are still in doubt and we don’t know if he would make the same kind of impact.”
“I have no doubt that Suryakumar Yadav will play a World Cup match for India. Because just imagine Suryakumar warming the benches and you have got an incumbence like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul playing. He is a massive temptation to play in a big game and a situation where you had a good start,” Manjrekar added.
Suryakumar Yadav will also have to compete with Ishan Kishan to make a place in the middle order. The wicketkeeper-batsman, being a left-handed batsman, has arguably overtaken Suryakumar in the pecking order based on his recent performances.
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“Suryakumar Can Get You 60 Off 28 Balls And That Can Become A Match-Winning Innings” – Sanjay Manjrekar
Suryakumar Yadav has so far scored 511 runs in 24 innings at an average of 24.33 in his ODI career. In 2023, he scored 127 runs in nine innings at an average of just 14.11. His most recent ODI innings came during the Caribbean tour, where he scored 34 runs off 30 balls. Further adding that Suryakumar Yadav could be the X-factor for Team India in the World Cup, Sanjay Manjrekar said:
“With around 18 overs left and eight wickets in hand, Suryakumar can get you 60 off 28 balls and that can become a match-winning innings. In the World Cup, that will be a big temptation India will not be able to resist.”
The right-handed batsman is part of the Asia Cup squad but will have to wait for his chance after KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer recover from injuries. Shreyas has suffered another setback in the form of back spasms midway through the Asia Cup 2023 campaign, it remains to be seen how long it will take him to recover.
