Gautam Gambhir, Kapil Dev
Gautam Gambhir (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir called Suryakumar Yadav an unorthodox batsman which made him prefered ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the preliminary squad of India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

On Wednesday, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for the mega event to be played next month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Suryakumar was included in the list as a batsman and his role is likely to control the middle-order of India’s batting line-up.

Suryakumar Yadav is a completely different class as compared to Shreyas Iyer: Gautam Gambhir

Suryakumar, who made his T20I debut against England in March this year, started of his career with a spectacular six against Jofra Archer with a ramp shot and scored 57 runs from 31 balls in his debut innings in the fourth T20I.

Gambhir thinks the Mumbai Indians batter is much more versatile than Iyer and he can hit the ball in various places on the field.

“Suryakumar Yadav is a completely different class as compared to Shreyas Iyer. He is much more versatile. He is much more unorthodox as well and in T20 cricket you want people who are unorthodox,” Gambhir said on Star Sports. 

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Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav hit a six off Jofra Archer on his first ball in T20 international.

“You want people who can hit that ball in different areas. He can lap you, he can late cut you, he can hit you over extra cover, he has got all the shots, especially at No.4,” he added. 

Shreyas Iyer is coming off a serious injury and you never know what kind of a form he would be in: Gautam Gambhir

Shreyas Iyer had injured his shoulder during an ODI match against England in March and also had gone under shoulder surgery, which ruled him out from the first part of IPL 2021. Iyer got clearance from National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for hit fitness and he is likely to join the Delhi Capitals in the remainder of IPL 2021.

Gambhir pointed out at Iyer’s comeback from his injury and mentioned that he might not be able to perform the same so the selectors opted for Suryakumar Yadav who can bat in any kind of situation for the team.

“You have also got to be mindful that he is coming off a serious injury and you never know what kind of a form he would be in the second leg of the IPL as well. So, they have gone with someone who has done really well since he has got into international cricket.”

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer [Image-Twitter]
“Sometimes, No.4 is the most tricky position to bat in T20 cricket. Probably the easiest is the top three but No.4, sometimes you might be in when you have lost two early wickets and sometimes you come into the middle when you are 120/2 and then you have got to continue with that momentum. So, Surya has got both kinds of game which probably Shreyas Iyer doesn’t have.”

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However, Iyer will be a part of India’s World Cup squad as he is named amongst the three reserved players to join the 15-member core squad for the showpiece event.

Also Read: “Dreams Do Come True”: Suryakumar Yadav Reacts To His Selection In India’s T20 World Cup 2021 Squad