Sri Lanka vs India T20I Series: 3 Players Who Can Replace Suryakumar Yadav In The Indian Playing XI If He Travels To England

With his three crucial batting knocks in the 3 matches of the Sri Lanka vs India ODI series, Suryakumar Yadav bagged the player of the series award. However, he might not be able to continue his journey in India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2021, as he might have to travel to England. An Indian squad led by Virat Kohli is currently in England, preparing for an upcoming Test series against the English team.

The Virat Kohli-led squad has faced a big challenge ahead of the Test series against England. Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Washington Sundar have been ruled out of the England series due to injuries. Hence, BCCI is planning to send Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw to England as replacements. Yadav showcased a marvelous form in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

He scored unbeaten 31, 53, and 40 in the three ODIs against Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old piled up 124 runs in 3 matches at an average of 62. If the right-handed batsman leaves the Sri Lanka tour midway, the Indian team will have to find a bankable replacement for Yadav during the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Here we talk about 3 players who can replace Suryakumar Yadav in the squad if he travels to England.

Sri Lanka vs India T20I Series: 3 Players Who Can Replace Suryakumar Yadav In The Indian Playing XI If He Travels To England

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson can be a valuable replacement to Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI. Sanju Samson batted at the no.3 spot in the 3^rd ODI which was the only game he played during the ODI series. The right-handed batsman smacked scored 46 runs while batting at no.3, along with managing a crucial 74-run partnership with Prithvi Shaw for the 2nd wicket.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in a good form since the start of IPL 2021. The Rajasthan Royals’ skipper smacked an unbeaten century in the opening game against Punjab Kings. The right-handed batsman hit unbeaten 277 runs in 7 innings in the first half of IPL 2021 at an average of 46.16.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is another batsman who can replace Suryakumar Yadav. The left-handed batsman smashed a quickfire of 69 runs off 42 balls in Sri Lanka vs India 1^st ODI, which was his debut game. The left-handed batsman lost his wicket cheaply in the 2^nd ODI, getting out for 1 run.

In the 3^rd ODI, the team gave an opportunity to Sanju Samson on his behalf as a wicketkeeper. However, if Suryakumar Yadav travels to England, Kishan and Samson can both play in the playing XI, with one of them keeping the wickets. In IPL, Kishan has a lot of experience at the middle-order while playing for Mumbai Indians.

Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana is the third player who can be a good choice to replace Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI. Nitish Rana made his international debut in Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI. He could only score 7 runs in the match. In the last few seasons of the Indian Premier League, the left-handed batsman has a showcased a consistent batting performance.

In IPL 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, he crossed 300+ runs in each season while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders. In IPL 2021, he scored 201 runs in 7 innings at an average of 28.71 along with 2 half-centuries. Also, he has emerged as the highest run-getter for Kolkata Knight Riders in the last few IPL seasons.