India’s former Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team’s decision regarding Suryakumar Yadav’s role in the ODI team. SKY, who has taken the T20I format by storm, hasn’t been able to embrace the 50-overs format. The right-hander from Mumbai has amassed 476 runs in 25 ODI matches at a below-par average of 23.8.
SKY has shown all the skills to turn the match on its head in the shortest format of the game but he hasn’t grabbed his chances in the ODI version.
Yadav batted at number three in the first ODI against the West Indies when India was chasing a sub-par score of 115 runs and was dismissed after scoring 19 runs. In the second ODI against the Windies, Yadav was demoted to number six and he once again failed to convert his start into a big score as he was dismissed after scoring 24 runs.
Yadav has been given a consistent run by the Indian management but there has been a continuous change in his batting position and thus the right-hander has failed to prove his mettle in the 50-overs format.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Surya Kumar is batting sometimes at No 3, sometimes at No 6, what is his role in the side? Is he a finisher or a proper middle-order batter? What is the thinking process behind this? I’m trying to understand. I’m sure the Indian team knows, they are not obliged to tell me or you.”
In fact, Yadav has contrasting numbers in T20I form, as he has amassed 1675 runs in 46 innings at an impressive average of 46.53 and a blistering strike rate of 175.76.
The reputed commentator also questioned the team’s decision to experiment in the first two ODIs against the West Indies. India decided to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second ODI.
“The topic of discussion at this point of time is the preparation of the Indian team. We all are trying to decipher what the team is trying to do, what is their plan exactly? What are they trying to do?”
Chopra continued: “The questions are being asked because if this series was viewed as an avenue for experimentation then it should have been made clear before itself. Everybody would have been on the same page then. The selectors would have then rested Virat and Rohit, and they would have directly played the Asia Cup.”
The third ODI between India and West Indies will be played in Trinidad on Tuesday.
