India have finally cracked the code for Suryakumar Yadav problem? Team balance goes for a toss

Despite his recent struggles in the format, the Indian team management believe they have cracked the code for Suryakumar Yadav.


India have finally cracked the code for Suryakumar Yadav problem? Team balance goes for a toss

Suryakumar Yadav during practice (Image via ESPN)

Suryakumar Yadav has been a big topic for debate between Indian fans. Despite below average performances in ODIs, the team management and fans still back Suryakumar Yadav to be in the squad for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. 

Although he began his ODI career with a bang in 2021, he has been averaging in the mid-20s in2022 and 2023. In 30 matches, he has never scored a century despite playing 30 matches. Throughout the years there have been glimmers of his potential in the format, but he just wasn’t consistent enough to prove himself. Many fans and ex-players believed there was not enough done by Suryakumar to keep him in the ODI squad.

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But there’s reason to believe that the team management has found the perfect role for the 33-year-old. With his recent back to back half centuries against Australia, it looks like Suryakumar Yadav with his attacking approach would be the perfect fit to bat at number 6. 

If Suryakumar comes in to bat with not much pressure on him, with the only objective for him is to score as much as he can, fans could see the best of him. In his two half centuries against Australia, we saw him scoring with a strike rate of more than 100. In the 2nd ODI in Indore, he scored 72 off 37 balls. He came in to bat with barely 10 overs left and his massacre of the Australian bowlers ensured India won. 

Related: “My one-day numbers are bad,” Suryakumar Yadav feels no SHAME in admitting how he flopped in ODIs

Suryakumar Yadav’s best role could disrupt team balance

In the 2023 Asia Cup, India was seen playing six bowling options. Usually they were 2 pure pacers, 1 pure spinner, and 3 all rounders. Out of the 3 all rounders, usually Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were selected for this role. With 3 all rounders, Hardik Pandya usually comes in to bat at number 6. 

Suryakumar Yadav celebrates his half century (Image via ESPN)

If Suryakumar wants to be included in the team, India will need to remove a bowling option, which the team management won’t do. With Hardik being the only pace bowling all-rounder in the squad, there was zero chances of him getting dropped for a pure batsman. 

Suryakumar Yadav might not feature in a single match in this upcoming World Cup unless there are multiple injuries to middle order batsmen, as he is below Ishan Kishan in the pecking order as well.

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