Last Update on: March 24th, 2023 at 02:15 pm

Veteran Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has recently said that Suryakumar Yadav may not be included in the preparations for the 2023 ODI World Cup, asking the team to find a replacement for Shreyas Iyer.

To put it mildly, Suryakumar Yadav’s performance in T20I and ODI matches is the polar opposite. Since making his T20I debut in 2021, he has not yet made a mistake. He barely averages 24 in ODIs, and in 21 innings, he has scored more than 50 runs twice.

In response to a question from Cricbuzz on Rohit Sharma and his team’s concerns leading up to the World Cup in October, Zaheer said that India needs to reconsider their batting order, with an emphasis on the No. 4 position. He believes that India must find a replacement for Iyer, implying that Suryakumar should be dropped from the World Cup strategy.

“You need to look a little at the batting order. You need to figure out at No.4 option again. It was something in discussion leading up to the 2019 World Cup and four years later we are having it again. Yes Shreyas Iyer was your designated choice but if he is going to be injured now for a longer time then you need to find the answer,” Zaheer Khan said.

IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs AUS 2023 | India vs Australia 2023

“Suryakumar Yadav only played three balls in three (games) this series”- Rohit Sharma

The series against Australia will feature Suryakumar, who has continued to serve as a backup option for the No. 4 berth. However, the No. 1 T20I batter lost three games in a row after being given a golden duck penalty by left-armer Mitchell Starc and spinner Ashton Agar.

Even though Suryakumar is under fire, his captain is still very supportive of him and believes that any batter could have been dismissed three times in a row.

“Suryakumar Yadav only played three balls in three (games) this series. I don’t know how much to look into it. He got three good balls, to be honest. Today, it wasn’t that good ball; he should have gone forward. He knows best. He plays spin so well. We have seen that over the last couple of years.”

“That’s why we held him back and give him that role for the last 15-20 overs where he can play his game, but it’s really unfortunate he could only play three balls. That can happen to anyone. But the potential and ability are always there. He is just going through that phase right now,” Rohit- had said after the third game against Australia.

While the captain and coach have frequently supported Suryakumar Yadav despite his dismal performance, the batsman will need to contribute runs to ensure his spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup squad.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: “India Won’t Come To Pakistan Because They Are Afraid Of Losing”- Imran Nazir

IND vs AUS: “You Need To Figure Out At No.4 Option Again”- Zaheer Khan Hints At Suryakumar Yadav’s Removal From WC Plan

“Suryakumar Yadav only played three balls in three (games) this series”- Rohit Sharma

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