Suryakumar Yadav is set to become India’s 13th T20I captain in the opening clash against Australia on November 23 in Visakhapatnam. In this format, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have been the primary captains, with Hardik Pandya assuming the role since the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Presently, India stands at a crucial juncture, facing uncertainty about Kohli and Rohit’s future in the format. It is imperative for them to establish stability and clear direction as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
Suryakumar, leading the team against Australia, faces a challenging task. Several key players are absent post the World Cup, adding to the responsibilities on SKY’s shoulders during this assignment.
Here are three key challenges for Suryakumar Yadav leading in the upcoming T20I series against Australia:
#1 India is trying to figure out who should be the wicketkeeper
Looking ahead, the question arises: Who will take up the wicket-keeping role for India in T20s? Rishabh Pant is recovering from an injury, Ishan Kishan’s T20I performance has been less than stellar, and KL Rahul hasn’t featured in the format in 2023.
For the Australia series, India has options in Kishan and Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh, who debuted in the Asian Games, had a less impressive season with Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Choosing Kishan may mean he can’t open due to competition from Gaikwad and Jaiswal. Batting in the middle order, where Jitesh is more comfortable, could pose challenges for Kishan. Suryakumar and the team management face a crucial decision that could impact their T20 World Cup preparations.
#2 Suryakumar Yadav must ensure that he and the team remain unaffected by the World Cup
The loss in the 2023 World Cup final has been challenging for everyone associated with the Indian team, including players and fans. Despite appearing poised for victory, Rohit Sharma and the team faced defeat at the hands of Australia.
Suryakumar, the sole player from the final’s XI in the upcoming T20I, must maintain his mental focus. It’s likely not easy for him to put aside the World Cup loss, especially considering his less-than-ideal batting performance in the tournament.
Suryakumar, leading the team, must operate at his optimal level. It’s crucial for him to make sure that neither he nor his team is impacted by the heartbreak of the World Cup final.
#3 Without a pace all-rounder, he needs to make accurate bowling changes
In India’s T20I squad against Australia, Shivam Dube is the only all-rounder who can bowl at a decent pace. However, it’s doubtful that he’ll be in the playing team, and he’s not seen as a reliable bowler.
India will probably have three fast bowlers and one wrist-spinner, but they aren’t good at batting. So, Suryakumar has to make smart choices about bowling and batting lineups.
This is a common problem when Hardik isn’t playing, and there’s no perfect answer – they just have to trust their captain to make good decisions.
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