Give Suryakumar Yadav As Many Games As Possible In Lead-Up To The T20 World Cup, Says Former Selector Devang Gandhi

Former India batsman and former selector, Devang Gandhi opines that Suryakumar Yadav should be played in as many matches as possible in the national team as he could be a key player in the T20 World Cup.

After scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Suryakumar Yadav left selectors with no option but to include him in the squad for the upcoming 5-match series against England.

Devang Gandhi reckons Yadav should be batting in the middle-order for India, and not lower, as he has achieved huge success with the Mumbai Indians – an average of 35.40 at a strike rate of 135.76 and crucial part in the two title victories – while batting in the upper-order. Gandhi also calls for Yadav’s inclusion in the ODI squad.

As quoted by PTI, Devang Gandhi said, “Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) has had tremendous success for Mumbai Indians in the IPL batting at that particular slot. If you are looking at him going into the World T20, give him as many games as possible in the lead-up. He should also be kept in the ODI squad.”

Shreyas Iyer is my choice For No. 4, don’t see Suryakumar Yadav getting a chance against England – VVS Laxman

While everyone is anticipating a debut for Suryakumar Yadav, however, former India batsman, VVS Laxman reckons Shreyas Iyer should keep his position at number 4 and the returning Rishabh Pant, who was dropped from the Australia series, will slot at 5 ahead of Hardik Pandya at 6 making no space for either of Yadav or Ishan Kishan or Rahul Tewatia.

“I don’t see them getting a chance because you have a settled middle order. I would love to see continuity as far as the No.4 position is concerned and Shreyas Iyer would be my choice as far as batting at No.4,” VVS Laxman told Star Sports.

“I would love to see Rishabh Pant back in the mix, batting at No.5, and then you have got Hardik Pandya at No.6. So, I don’t see Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan or for that matter Tewatia getting a chance but whenever they get a chance I am sure all of them will perform and play to the best of their abilities,” the 46-year-old former batsman added.

The 5-match T20I series against Eoin Morgan’s side commences on 12th March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by a 3-match ODI series in Pune.

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