Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons in Hardik Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav becomes very important for Team India in the ongoing World Cup. Pandya has suffered a ligament tear and he is expected to miss the next couple of matches.

The talisman all-rounder sustained an injury while trying to stop the ball in his follow-through against Bangladesh but twisted his ankle and was seen withering in pain. Pandya then missed the big clash against New Zealand at Dharamshala and in his absence, India added Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav.

However, Yadav didn’t have a memorable World Cup debut as he was sold down the river by Virat Kohli and he was dismissed after scoring two runs. Yadav had recently shown good form in the three-match ODI series against Australia and he can add the finishing touches while batting at number six.

“Hardik Pandya is unlikely to be available for the next two games. In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav becomes very important. He will bat at the crucial No. 6 position. He was a little unlucky in the last game. He got run out following a mix-up with Virat Kohli while he was batting,” Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel.

The Turbanator reckons the match could have ended sooner against New Zealand if Suryakumar Yadav had stayed at the crease.

“If Suryakumar had stayed there, the match wouldn’t have gone so far. Till Virat Kohli was there out in the middle, there was no need to worry, but Suryakumar Yadav will be a crucial member for this team. I feel if he gets a chance, he will make up for the run out. His performances in ODIs in the recent series against Australia were worth watching,” Harbhajan concluded.

It is well known that Pandya adds a great balance to the team’s playing XI as a seam-bowling all-rounder and his services will be deeply missed in the next couple of matches.

India will next take on reigning champions England at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday.