IND vs WI: RP Singh Feels Suryakumar Yadav Is "Good Option" To Be India's No.4 ODI Batter

Former India National Cricket Team pacer RP Singh has backed the aggressive middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav to be the No.4 batting option for the team at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Since his international debut, Suryakumar has dominated the T20 format and has established himself as one of the most dangerous batters in the world. He quickly climbed the charts and became the top-ranked batter in the ICC T20I Rankings.

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However, Suryakumar has failed to replicate his success in 50-over cricket as he averages just 23.78 after 24 matches. He had a horrible time recently against Australia at home when he registered three back-to-back golden ducks in the ODI series.

The team management, however, has shown faith in him and he started for India in the first ODI of the three-match series against West Indies. Suryakumar Yadav was promoted to bat No.3 position and he scored 19 runs before getting out as India clinched the victory by 5 wickets.

Meanwhile, RP Singh believes that Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer are the two best No.4 batting options India have at the moment for World Cup.

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“Suryakumar Yadav is a good option for No. 4, along with Shreyas (Iyer), provided he is fit. But if you are looking at him even as a backup option, it is important to give him game-time, and he is certainly a good pick,” RP Singh expressed during an interaction organized by Jio Cinema, as quoted by TOI.

“The way he is batting, and the kind of batter that he is, he can be a good option for No. 4 or 5,” he added.

Suryakumar Yadav will have to change his game plan a bit – RP Singh

RP Singh further said that India need to have some options for the No.4 position considering Shreyas Iyer’s ongoing recovery from injury. He added that Suryakumar Yadav will have to make some changes to his game plan to succeed in ODI cricket.

“You must always have backup options heading into major tournaments. His current form in T20 cricket has been very good; the one-day format is different because you have (to face) more number of balls. Due to that, he will have to change his game plan a bit,” the former left-arm fast bowler explained.

The 37-year-old also spoke about express pacer Umran Malik’s potential inclusion in the World Cup squad, stating that the team management needs to provide the youngster with consistent opportunities to get the best out of him.

“You cannot have someone playing one match and then sitting out for two. If you think Umran is a long-term option, then he has to be polished accordingly,” RP Singh said.

“You have a good number of matches before the World Cup. He can get 5-6 games in the Asia Cup, and three more matches (against Australia). Umran has the advantage of pace. But the issue with him is the skill – his deliveries do not move much,” RP Singh said.

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