Batting great Sunil Gavaskar defended Suryakumar Yadav’s choice to skip batting in India’s Asia Cup 2025 group clash against Oman, despite the Men in Blue losing eight wickets. Praising Suryakumar as an innovative and unconventional thinker, the Little Master suggested that the Indian skipper may have sent in the tailenders ahead of him, anticipating their potential role in the upcoming Super 4 matches.
In the 12th match of Asia Cup 2025 at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday, September 19, India posted 188/8 after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Oman responded strongly with 167/4, putting up a commendable fight. Although India secured a 21-run victory, the win was not entirely convincing, and Suryakumar’s decision to abstain from batting sparked considerable discussion.
Speaking with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan on Sony Sports, Gavaskar supported the captain’s approach and remarked:
“If he had batted for even one over, he could have hit a few fours and sixes and that would have been good for him. But the way he batted against Pakistan, may be does not need batting practice. He may have thought that Kuldeep Yadav’s batting could come in handy if India lose quick wickets in one of the matches. Perhaps that’s why he may have sent Kuldeep in to bat.”
“He is very unorthodox thinker. We saw in Sri Lanka that he himself bowled and also gave Rinku Singh the ball. He turned the game, which seemed to have slipped away, on its head and won India the match. He is an innovative thinker. May be that’s why he did not bat and sent in Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh,” the 76-year-old went on to add.
“He Might As Well Rest” – Rohan Gavaskar’s Take On Suryakumar Yadav
While Sunil Gavaskar supported Suryakumar Yadav’s choice to skip batting against Oman, his son Rohan expressed surprise at the decision. The former all-rounder felt it was a missed opportunity for India, suggesting they could have rested Suryakumar and allowed Rinku to take the crease instead. Rohan told Cricbuzz:
“What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat; you’re not going to contribute with the ball. If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game.”
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