Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy got exposed vs South Africa, claims 1983 World Cup winner

Behind India's 76-run defeat against South Africa last night there could be multiple reasons. While multiple experts pointed out Axar Patel's exclusion affected the team's performance, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth believed India lost the match because of Varun Chakravarthy's off-colour.

Historically, whenever Varun Chakravarthy delivered according to his calibre, India got to register a win in T20Is. The South African think tank does its homework pretty well ahead of the Super 8 clash. Apart from the early bowling spells of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, most of the Indian bowlers looked ineffective when Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs were in charge. South Africa was three down for 20 runs only.

Suryakumar Yadav introduced Varun Chakravarthy early in the match

To put extra pressure on the batters, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav introduced Chakravarthy inside the powerplay. Yadav's intention was clear - carry on the attack. But Miller and Brevis were well prepared for the spinner. They instantly went down on the ground to neutralise the ace bowler of the Men in Blue Brigade.

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Later, Chakravarthy got David Miller's wicket, but by then, the damage was already done. Miller departed for 63 off 35, smashing seven 4s and three 6s. Brevis scored 45, Stubbs played an unbeaten 44-run knock. Varun Chakravarthy, despite taking the wicket of Miller, concluded his 4-over spell with an economy rate of 11.75. After Shivam Dube, he turned out to be the second most expensive bowler of the night for India.

Kris Srikkanth explains where Suryakumar Yadav made a mistake vs South Africa

"India kept hoping South Africa would lose their wicket trying to smash Varun Chakaravarthy. But they just kept hitting him. Everybody is bound to have a bad day, which Varun did. There is nothing wrong with it. But once he got hit, Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy was also hampered. He was suddenly searching for whom to bowl once Varun started getting hit", Kris Srikkanth explained in his YouTube channel.

"They (South African batters) came out with a clear plan against Varun Chakaravarthy. They wanted to smash him and hit him straight. They targeted Varun Chakaravarthy but did not play across the line. They played him so intelligently. India should not have bowled Varun Chakaravarthy three overs on the trot. Once you saw him getting clobbered for two overs, remove him from the attack", he added.

Why is Suryakumar Yadav underutilising Washington Sundar?

Ranked the No.1 T20I bowler in the world, Varun had been in incredible form in the group stages, picking up nine wickets in four matches. It was obvious that the opposing team did a dissection of the spinner's bowling.

In search of wickets, Suryakumar Yadav kept his trust in Chakravarthy, which was another mistake, opined the former India cricketer. Srikanth opined that, as Washington Sundar was in the line-up, he used to be allowed to deliver a few more overs.

"By smashing Varun, the batters also gain confidence. That's why they smashed Hardik Pandya also. When Varun was getting hit, India could have trusted Washington Sundar more. You are trusting Dube more than Washington Sundar. He got smashed in his two overs. India did not manage the bowlers well," said Srikkanth.

Meanwhile, Washington Sundar delivered a couple of overs, without taking any wickets and leaking 17 runs.

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