Suryakumar Yadav’s continued struggles in ODIs have raised questions about the Indian team management’s unwavering support for him. In a recent Asia Cup match against Bangladesh, Suryakumar faced yet another challenging innings, managing only 26 runs from 34 balls before falling to Shakib Al Hasan. Although the game had little consequence as India was already through to the final, it was a crucial opportunity for Suryakumar to shake off his ODI format woes, especially with the impending ODI World Cup just weeks away.
Nevertheless, his ODI batting average of 24.40 after 25 innings is becoming a cause for concern within the Indian team setup. Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden can relate to Suryakumar’s predicament, recalling his own frustrating wait for an international recall after years in the wilderness.
“I really understand the mindset. Because I sat for seven years without getting a game for Australia. You have these moments when you perform incredibly well for your state, and in Suryakumar Yadav’s case, in first-class and IPL cricket, where his strike rate is 170+. When it comes to ODIs, he hasn’t quite found, or decoded, what’s his game going to be,” Hayden expressed when talking on Star Sports.
Hayden also analyzed Suryakumar Yadav’s innings against Bangladesh, observing that the batter seemed to be attempting risky shots, like the sweep, in a bid to break free.
“Tonight, he just played ‘get out of the jail’ shots, trying to get those lack of respect runs. Even when Jadeja came to play, he was going bang-bang-bang with Shubman Gill powering away. That takes a lot of confidence internally. You have to be right at the top of your game,” Hayden continued.
Suryakumar Yadav secured a spot in the Indian playing XI after five notable changes were made, with Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj rested for the contest.
Despite Suryakumar’s recent struggles, Hayden remained optimistic about his future. He acknowledged the challenges Suryakumar faces in gaining recognition in a specific format and believes that the more one strives for it, the more elusive it can become.
“When you are fighting so hard to find respect from your country in that one format, the harder you chase it, the farther it seems to get away. So, I do feel for Suryakumar Yadav, who I think has a huge role to play in this World Cup,” Hayden added.
Last Updated on September 16, 2023
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