Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has come down hard at the team management for dropping Surykumar Yadav in the third T20I against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Yadav had made his International debut in the second T20I alongside his Mumbai Indians teammate Ishan Kishan.
While Ishan Kishan got the opportunity to open the innings, Yadav didn’t even get a chance to bat on his debut as India won the game by seven wickets. Kishan was backed in the team after his superb knock of 56 runs from 32 balls but there was no place for Suryakumar Yadav.
India decided to bring back their vice-captain Rohit Sharma back in the final XI and thus had to drop Suryakumar Yadav. The decision was a bit harsh on the 29-year old as he didn’t even get the opportunity to bat on his debut and thus should have at least got another opportunity.
Gambhir was not at all impressed by the same and stated that the Indian team is not going in the right direction as far as creating a potent bench strength is concerned.
Gambhir said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “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?”
Gambhir added that the team’s think tank must give sufficient opportunities to players, whom they get into the set-up.
“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 sees 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,” Gambhir added.
SKY, as he is known, had scored 480 runs in 15 innings at an average of 40 in IPL 2020 and a whirlwind strike rate of 145.02. Thus, he had earned his national call-up after consistent performances in the domestic circuit. It will be interesting to note if the Mumbai batsman will get another shot in the final XI.
The fourth T20I will take place on Thursday.
