I Still Want To See Suryakumar Yadav Bat At No. 3 And Virat Kohli At No. 4 - Gautam Gambhir

Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir opined that Suryakumar Yadav should continue to bat at number 3 even when Virat Kohli returns to the side.

Gautam Gambhir said this following Suryakumar’s match-winning knock of 62 runs off 40 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand in Jaipur. His innings was laced with 6 fours and 3 sixes, easing down the chase of 165.

Kohli, who’s been rested from the ongoing series, has shuffled in the order this year in T20 cricket.

Gautam Gambhir pointed out that, unlike Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav scores quickly versus spinners and is a 360-degree batsman.

“He (Suryakumar) has got many options. He plays spin very well. He has got all the shots, he is a 360 player as well. That is what makes him very difficult to bowl at. When Virat Kohli comes back, I still want to see Suryakumar bat at No. 3 and Virat at No. 4,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports. 

Virat will probably have to play that important anchor role: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir asserted that Yadav’s explosiveness in the middle-overs while batting at No. 3 will keep the momentum going on following the pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.

Further, the former KKR captain believes that Kohli’s anchor role at No. 4 will be very important.

“That gives India an option to continue with the momentum because Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are very explosive at the top. And Surya at No. 3 could be your best option because he can continue the momentum and Virat can be an anchor at No.4 probably like how Steve Smith has been for Australia. If you lose a couple of early wickets, Virat can manage that middle order,” he said.

“So once, Virat gets in, I still want to see Surya batting at No. 3 because he will win you many more games while batting at No. 3. If you bat Virat at No. 3, then there is hardly any experience in that middle order with Surya, Rishabh following. So Virat will probably have to play that most important role, play that anchor role and bring the middle-order together,” the 40-year-old commentator explained.

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against the T20 World Cup runner-ups. The second T20I is scheduled for Friday at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

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