Former selector of the Indian cricket team Devang Gandhi has backed Mumbai Indians number 3 Suryakumar Yadav after he was ignored for the Australia series. Yadav finished with 480 runs for his IPL franchise in the recently concluded IPL. This was the third straight year when he scored more than 450 runs for the franchise. He has hit 512, 424, and 480 runs in the last three editions of the IPL. He is also the first uncapped player to hit 2000 IPL runs. Despite being so consistent for the side, Yadav’s exclusion from the side raised a few eyebrows.
Talking to Times of India, Gandhi said the experts questioning Suryakumar’s ouster should also tell which batsman should have been dropped to make way for Yadav.
Devang Gandhi backs Suryakumar Yadav
“Would request the experts that while they are talking about Suryakumar’s exclusion, they should also tell us who should have been kept out. India has a huge bench strength and the selection process is often about exclusion. There can be four equally good players for one slot. Obviously, you have to keep some talented players out,” Gandhi said.
The former selector said that Suryakumar Yadav should keep performing and his chance too will come soon as it came for Mayank Agarwal.
“Suryakumar is a brilliant player, but he will have to be patient. He must keep performing. Mayank Agarwal is one batsman who barged into the squad, consistently performing well,” he added.
Earlier batting legend Sachin Tendulkar praised the Mumbai batsman saying that his chance of playing for India will come soon. Talking to Indian Express, Sachin urged Yadav to keep going towards his dream of playing for India and soon he will bear the results of it.
“If you are honest and sincere to the game, the game will look after you. This might well be your final hurdle. Your dream of playing for India is around the corner. Stay focused and surrender yourself to cricket” said Tendulkar.
“I know you are not one of those who will be disheartened and give it up. Keep going on and give us many more reasons to celebrate,” Suryakumar Yadav said revealing the message according to Indian Express.
