Former Team India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has slammed skipper Virat Kohli for dropping Suryakumar Yadav during the 3rd T20I against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Suryakumar was dropped from the playing XI to accommodate Rohit Sharma, who was rested in the first two games of the five-match series.
After a consistent run-scoring spree in the IPL and domestic cricket, the cricketer was Mumbai was drafted for the T20Is against England. Many backed him to be in the squad for the Australia series last year, but he had to wait long for his opportunity. Ever since he joined the India squad in Ahmedabad, the cricketing fraternity and fans have been waiting to see him bat in the blue jersey.
Suryakumar Yadav was handed over the debut cap in the 2nd game along with his Mumbai Indians teammate Ishan Kishan. The 30-year-old had a mixed outing in the field dropping a catch and grabbing another but didn’t get an opportunity with the bat as Kishan and Virat Kohli played match-winning knocks to secure a win in India’s favour by eight wickets.
Gautam Gambhir slams Suryakumar Yadav
Speaking at the toss ahead of the 3rd tie, Kohli had revealed that Suryakumar had made his way for Rohit Sharma which left everyone in shock. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, expressed his astonishment at captain Kohli’s decision to bench Suryakumar Yadav in the third T20I, highlighting that the Mumbai batsman should get a consistent run in the team in order for the management to understand whether he should be in the T20 World Cup plans or not.
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“It amazes me, seven months before the World Cup he starts preparing for World Cup and probably after the World Cup he will start preparing for the next World Cup. It really doesn’t matter, the kind of form you are in matters. Imagine if there is an injury issue, what have you seen of Suryakumar Yadav, what have you seen of Suryakumar Yadav in international cricket.
I hope nobody gets injured but if there is an injury case and somebody needs to bat at number 4 and number 5. For example there has to be a replacement for Shreyas Iyer, who are you gonna go for,” Gautam Gambhir was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“So at least look at someone whom you have got into the setup. Probably give him that ‘opportunity in three or four games and see where he stands. If he delivers, you have got a backup for someone already batting at number four. If you get someone play him in that series and see what he is giving in the future. We keep talking about preparations but this is just no preparation for the World Cup. It’s just about looking at the same players what you have seen for so many years,” Gautam Gambhir further said.
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Suryakumar Yadav seems to be in direct competition with Shreyas Iyer for the No. 5 spot in the team. After his 67 in the first T20I at Ahmedabad, Iyer hit 8* and 9 in the 2nd and the third T20I respectively. It would be interesting to see if the Mumbai batsman gets a nod after India’s thumping defeat in the 3rd game.