Suryakumar Yadav ridicules ICC; claims Practice Pitches were better than Match tracks in the USA
Published - 19 Jun 2024, 01:04 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:13 AM
Indian middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav has opened up challenging wickets during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Suryakumar Yadav said that he needs to adapt to different conditions and playing situations despite being the world's number-one batter.
Suryakumar Yadav struggled to score in Team India's first two matches in the ongoing ICC tournament. He scored just nine runs in his first two innings against Ireland and Pakistan in New York. However, the right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 50 runs off 49 balls against the United States of America.
The Rohit Sharma-led team recorded three victories before the final group stage was abandoned due to a wet outfield. The Men in Blue are placed in Group 1 along with Afghanistan, Australia, and Bangladesh in the Super 8 stages. They will start their Super 8 campaign against Afghanistan in Barbados on June 20.
Should Be Able To Bat In Different Conditions - Suryakumar Yadav
During a media interaction here on Tuesday, Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and situations to contribute effectively to the team's needs. Suryakumar acknowledged the challenges of batting on slow wickets, which requires him to strategize with his batting partner.
“If have you been number one for two years, you should be able to bat in different conditions and change the game as per the needs of the team. That displays good batsmanship and that is what I try,” said Suryakumar.
“It’s difficult to generate that force when there’s no pace on the wicket and when someone has read your game nicely. So, at that time, you have to be very smart how you want to extend your innings."
“You have to change according to the situation, what the team demands at that moment, and talk to your partner who is inside, calm your nerves down, and then take the innings ahead,” he added.
That Has Always Been My Strong Point - Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav stated that sweeps and reverse sweeps will be crucial in countering spin challenges on the pitches in the West Indies. He noted that practice pitches in New York were challenging initially but have improved significantly.
"The practice pitches, yeah, they were a little spicy in New York. It was fresh. They made the conditions after they got to know there is a World Cup there. Here they have been making pictures regularly and they are much better than (USA)."
"That has always been my strong point (sweeps and reverse sweeps). I've tried to play the same way that I do in the practice sessions."
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have opened the batting, and Rishabh Pant has been promoted to number three in India's lineup. Suryakumar now bats at number four, and he will need to adjust his batting approach accordingly. Surya can be promoted further up the batting order if the team requires it.
The middle-order batter has scored 2,200 runs across 60 innings at an average of 44.90 and a remarkable strike rate of 168.06. Suryakumar Yadav has smashed four centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a best score of 117, in his T20I career.
