Sanjay manjrekar. (Photo Source: Fiona Goodall-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Suryakumar Yadav’s outstanding performance in T20I cricket cannot be ignored when evaluating his potential inclusion in India’s ODI team. Having played 48 T20I matches, Suryakumar has impressively scored 1675 runs in just 46 innings. With an exceptional average of 46.2 and a blazing strike rate of 175.76, Yadav’s batting skills in the shortest format are undeniably remarkable.
But Yadav’s inclusion in India’s ODI team for the West Indies tour is being perceived from a different lens by former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. According to Manjrekar, Suryakumar’s true potential lies in the T20I format, and therefore, he should be exclusively designated as a specialist T20I batter.
In an interview with News24 Sports, Manjrekar stated, “I personally believe in promoting him as a dedicated T20 batter. It’s a personal opinion because if you continue giving him opportunities in 50-over cricket, Suryakumar Yadav has the ability to perform well in that format as well.”
Manjrekar emphasized that Suryakumar is no longer a young player and playing the game’s longer format could potentially affect his T20I performance. He added, “I believe that since he’s not a 20-year-old player anymore and considering the level at which he has excelled in T20 cricket, introducing complications by playing him in the 50-over format might arise.”
Yadav’s performances in T20I cricket have undoubtedly been impressive. However, his performances in ODI cricket have been relatively underwhelming, scoring 433 runs at an average of 24.05 in 23 games.
Manjrekar reflected on Surykumar’s struggles during the ODI series against Australia at home recently, where he suffered three golden ducks. The former cricketer pointed out that the Mumbai batter took some time to regain his T20 form after those dismissals, emphasizing the need to simplify things for him.
Nevertheless, Manjrekar said that if the selectors think it necessary to include the 32-year-old in the ODI team, it is not going to be a wrong decision at all. His competitors for the middle-order spot in the ODI format would be Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson.
“However, if any selector thinks that he needs Suryakumar Yadav’s ability even in 50 overs, it will also not be a wrong decision or bad thinking.”
While Shreyas and Rahul are currently recovering from surgeries, they will need to prove their fitness before being considered for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Therefore, the situation presents an opportunity for Suryakumar to showcase his skills and secure a place in the Indian team for the prestigious tournament.